51Henry 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...
52Henry 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,...
53Henry 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...
54Alexander 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...
55Henry 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...
56Henry 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...
57Henry 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 ,...
58From 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...
59Roger 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,...
60Alexander 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...
61Henry 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...
62From 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...
63Henry 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...
64Henry 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...
65Timothy 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...
66Henry 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 ....
67Benjamin 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...
68Authorization 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...
69Henry 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...
70Henry 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...
71From 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...
72Timothy 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...
73Henry 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...
74Samuel 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...
75John 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...
76Edmund 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...
77Henry 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...
78From 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...
79Henry 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...
80From 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...
81From 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...
82Henry 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...
83William 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...
84Henry 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,...
85John 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...
86James 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...
87From 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...
88Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 14 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit to the President of the United States the enclosed letter, just received from Governor Lee, dated the 7th instant. Please to return it as soon as the President is done with it. I am, Your’s sincerely LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Henry Lee, in his letter to Knox of 7 May, described the danger of Indian depredations along Virginia’s southwestern frontier and explained the need...
89John Stagg, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 5 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War requests the favor that you will please to submit to the President of the United States, the enclosed draft of a letter, intended to be forwarded this day to major general Wayne. I am Sir, Most respectfully, Your obedt Servt ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Lear returned this draft to Henry Knox with no changes by GW ( JPP, Dorothy Twohig, ed. The Journal of the Proceedings of...
90Adamson Tannehill to Tobias Lear, 8 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
From the small acquaintance I had of you while at this place, have taken the liberty of requesting you, that if there should be any public appointment in this Country that may be the Gift of his Excellency the Presidt of the U. States, you would be pleased to mention me to him to that effect; Should address his Excellency on the subject, but a becoming modesty forbids it. Therefore if any...
91George Taylor, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 19 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
G. Taylor Junr presents his respectful Compliments to Mr Lear, and has the honor to send him herewith enclosed, agreeably to his note of the 13th instant to the Secretary of State, the Report of the Commissioners for settling the accounts between the U.S. and the individual States, together with the letter accompanying the same from them to the President. They had been placed in the Hands of...
92Roger 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...
93Clement 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...
94Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 25 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit to the President of the United States, the enclosed Letter from the Governor of Virginia dated 17th inst: together with Col. Steele’s report to the Executive of Virginia, on his return from a visit to the district of Kenawa—&c.—and some letters from Norfolk, relatively to a request from the British Consul for the passport from the French Admiral, to several British vessels...
95Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 27 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to inform the President of the United States, that it is understood, that David Allison is not the Secretary of Governor Blount, but that he has been occasionally employed by him. That in all the money transactions, or payments, in which Mr Allison has been employed, he has settled his accounts to the entire satisfaction of the Accountant. And that he has now given bonds for the...
96Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 29 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit to the President of the United States the enclosed draft of a speech for the Wabash indians. Yours sincerely— LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Neither the enclosed draft nor the final version of GW’s address to the Wabash and Illinois Indians of 1 Feb. has been found. These Indians sent a delegation to Philadelphia following a council with Gen. Rufus Putnam in September 1792. After...
97Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 28 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you a copy of the President’s Note of this morning, and also two letters from Governor Blount—one dated the 24th of January, and the other the 1st of February, and also a letter from General Sevier of the 6th of February 1793. I am, Dear Sir, Your very humble Servt LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . See GW to Knox, 28 Feb. 1793 . William Blount, in his letter to Knox of 24 Jan., enclosed...
98From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 12 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 8th., but as I am on the eve of my return to Philadelphia, and have many letters to write, I shall do little more than acknowledge the receipt of it. The advices which I may receive by the Post to-night, will decide whether I shall proceed by the direct rout—or by the one I intended to have come. The enclosed from the Attorney General I return to him through...
99From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 15 February 1796 (Washington Papers)
On thursday last I received your letter of —— (now in the hands of Colo. Pickering, & date not remembered). The business relative to the Arsenal at the mouth of Shenandoah, has been shamefully neglected: and, (but under the rose I make the observation) I fear with design; for I was continually reminding the Officer whose duty it was to carry the measure into effect, of the improvident delay;...
100Edmund Randolph to Tobias Lear, 22 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 22 Feb. 1792. “The visit of respect, which is due to-day, it was my most earnest intention to have paid. For I connect with it a personal attachment, not dependent on any official relation. But I am unfortunately deprived of this gratification by the continuance of the disorder, which I mentioned to you in my note of yesterday. Permit me, therefore, to request you to communicate...