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...
61Certificate for Tobias Lear, 25 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
I do hereby certify that I have examined the Accounts which have been kept by Mr Tobias Lear, on my behalf, from the commencement of my Administration of the Government of the United States down to the 31st day of December One thousand seven hundred and ninety two—as will appear by the Journal & Ledger which contain them—and that I am perfectly well satisfied with the clearness and justness of...
62Henry 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...
63Henry 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,...
64Henry 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...
65Alexander 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...
66Henry 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...
67Henry 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...
68Henry 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 ,...
69From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 29 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday’s Post brought me the letters which had arrived in the Commerce, Captn Tuttell; enclosing Invoice and Bill of lading for the long expected Seeds (which by the bye have cost me at least four times as much as I expected). The Invoice and Bill of lading are now sent to you, lest from the want of them, any difficulty or delay should arise on account of the duties and they are accompanied...
70Roger 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,...
71Alexander 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...
72Henry 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...
73From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 5 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
It is my intention, at present, to be in Georgetown to morrow; but as I have been sending to the post-Office in Alexandria every day since friday last, for letters, without having received any from the Officers of Government; and may, by this days mail find such an accumulation of them, as to make it impracticable for me to give them proper attention—prepare answers against Saturday...
74Henry 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...
75Henry 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...
76Timothy Pickering to Tobias Lear, 31 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
Can you inform me of any of the facts or representations communicated to the president relative to news-papers, which led him to notice them in his speech, at the opening of the present session of Congress? It seemed generally to be understood to imply that obstructions to their transmission had arisen from the post office law. Were not the obstructions to the papers which should have passed...
77From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 30 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have, at length, received the President’s answer (through the Secretary of War) to my request to be allowed a Secretary, who gives it as his opinion that I have an undoubted right to one, or all of my military family, if I find it convenient, and that their pay &c. will be allowed. And the Secretary having thrown a mass of Papers upon me which I have not looked into (being this moment...
78Henry 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 ....
79Benjamin 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...
80Authorization for Tobias Lear, 30 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Whereas it may be necessary, during my absence from the Seat of Government, to pay certain monies and accounts out of the fund of ten thousand Dollars appropriated to the discharge of Contingent Expenses of Government, by a law passed on the 26th day of March 1790; I therefore do authorize Tobias Lear, my Secretary, to direct such payments to be made in my name, out of said fund, as may come...
81Henry 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...
82Henry 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...
83From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 9 January 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 1st instt has been received, but not so soon after the date of it as might have been expected; & not recollecting in time, that this was Post day for the Southward, I shall confine myself to a single point—namely, to inform you, as I have been informed myself, that in a late meeting of the Canal Company of this State, permission was given to Mr Western to visit the Lock...
84Timothy Pickering to Tobias Lear, 14 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letter from Samuel Freeman Esqr. of Portland I should have presented long ago: but laying it by in my desk very safely, it has been overlooked. Perhaps it may now be of no consequence. Possibly you may know Mr Freeman. He has written to me in consequence of an acquaintance formed by his being the postmaster at Portland. I take him to be of a very respectable character there; and...
85Henry 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...
86Samuel 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...
87John Stagg, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 27 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War requests the favor, that you will please to submit to the President of the United States, the letters, with their enclosures, herewith transmitted, & which were received yesterday—to wit— From— Brig: Genl: Wilkinson Jany 8th 1793. John Belli—D.Q.M. Genl Dec: 21st—1792 Jany 27th—1793 Major Michael Rudulph Jany 8th—1793. I am Sir, with perfect respect, Your very humble Servt...
88Edmund Randolph to Tobias Lear, 6 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I wished to have said a word to you in private; but being prevented this morning, I must beg your excuse for hinting a subject, which it may not be amiss to inquire into. President Mifflin stopped me to-day, to inform me, that the Coachman of the President of the U.S. was very insolent in the use of his whip among the people yesterday at the church door. He added, that it was near being...
89From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 22 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am very sorry to learn by Mr. Dalton’s family (now here) that your ague and fever stick by you. If not such as to confine you, your Coming & remaining here while his visit lasts wd. be a kindness to me and company for him; many matters pressing upon me at this time, that cannot, without much inconvenience be postponed, will not suffer me to pay him those attentions I could wish. I am Your...
90Henry 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...
91From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 12 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 5th instt, and the Receipt for the second payment of the lots I purchased on the Eastern branch, in the Federal City, came duly to hand. You are perfectly at liberty to examine my Presses and Trunks at Mount Vernon for any papers I may have respecting the transactions of the Directors of the Potomack Compa., or any matters & things which may concern the navigation of that...
92Henry 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...
93From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 6 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
This letter will be put into your hands by Mr Volney—who proposes to visit the Federal City. If you are not acquainted with him personally, I am sure you must have a knowledge of his character—his travels & works; I therefore recommend him to your civilities while he remains in the Federal City. I am always and sincerely Yours ALS , DLC : Tobias Lear Papers. Claypoole’s American Daily...
94From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 4 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
As your letter of the 30th. Ulto. gives me room to expect you here in a few days. I shall do no more than acknowledge the receipt of it, repeat the request contained in a joint letter (written by Mrs. Washington and myself to you) of the 30th. Ulto.—and request, if a vessel from Liverpool called the Commerce, commanded by Capt. Tuttle should have arrived at George Town, that Mr. Pearce may...
95Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 14 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
As every thing explanatory of the disposition of the Northern and Western Indians is of importance at this moment, I submit to the President Colonel Louis’s speech, and also Hendricks information to Colonel Pickering and the opinion of the Colonel thereon. I also submit to the President Brigadier General Putnams resignation. I am Dear Sir Your humble servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . On...
96William White to Tobias Lear, 3 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
In Regard to the benevolent Design of the President, communicated to me by you the other Day, I have to inform you, that were I to attempt to furnish a List of the proper Objects, it would necessarily be a more contracted Application of the Bounty, than is intended: For altho, like other Citizens, I have Applications from Persons of different Communions, yet an annual Duty lying on me of...
97Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 3 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 3 June 1792. Asks Lear “to inform the President of the United States that I propose to avail myself of his permission to go to New York by the early stage tomorrow Morning, and to return on thursday or at furthest on friday evening next.” ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Knox’s journey north apparently was a business trip. On Thursday, 7 June, Knox wrote his wife, Lucy Flucker Knox,...
98John Stagg, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 14 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War requests that you will please to submit to the President of the United States, the enclosed letter, received, yesterday, from Brigadier Wilkinson, dated 29th December 1792. I am, Sir, respectfully, Your obedt Serv⟨t⟩ ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Gen. James Wilkinson’s letter to Knox has not been identified, but according to GW’s executive journal it discussed plans for a...
99James Wilmer to Tobias Lear, 5 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
Your polite attention demands our warmest gratitude. By this day’s mail is sent a packet to his Excellency, which, I hope will arrive in due order. The Baltimore Journal of to day is enclosed. Allow me respectfully to solicit your attention to the following ode, for Monday next, in one of your Gazettes; no seasonable opportunity offering here, will plead for the freedom assumed. I have the...
100From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 2 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 19th & [ ] Ult. came duly to hand; and I expected ’ere this to have been decisive upon the contents of them; but the case being otherwise, I shall postpone writing fully to you until the next, or another Post. It may not be amiss however, briefly to observe, that Colo. Rochfontain (being in this city) was asked how it came to pass, as he had seen the site at the confluence...