151From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 27 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
My attention was so much occupied the days preceeding my departure from Philadelphia, with matters of a public nature, that I could scarcely think of those which more immediately related to my own. Who the Steward & House keeper shall be, must be left to Mrs Washington & yourself to determine from circumstances, & the offers that are made. Francis, unless Holkers man could be unexceptionably...
152Roger 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...
153From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 10 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 26th and 30th of the last, & 3d of the present month, have come duly to hand. Without entering into the details, I can assure you that I am perfectly satisfied with the steps you have taken respecting the Vessel which is to bring the furniture & Servants to Philadelphia —With your agreements with Mr Macomb, & whatever you shall do with the Houses I was compelled to build,...
154Clement 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...
155From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 26 February 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, February 26, 1793. Encloses “a small account against the United States, for a Seal for the use of the District Court of the State of Vermont.” Requests “the President’s permission for paying it.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
156From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 9 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
A vacancy existing in the Office of Accountant to the Dept. of War, I have thought it proper to give you an opportunity of saying whether it would be agreeable to you to fill it. Will you be so good as to let me hear from you on the subject with as little delay as possible? Accept my friendly respects RC (owned by Stephen Decatur, Garden City, N.Y., 1961). Cover sheet bears Lear’s note: “Ansd....
157From Thomas Jefferson to Tobias Lear, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to appoint a Consul to reside near Toussaint in St. Domingo, an office of great importance to us at present, and requiring great prudence. no salary is annexed to it: but it is understood to be in the power of the Consul, by means entirely honorable, to amass a profit in a very short time. Dr. Stevens is said to have done so, but perhaps [by] additional means not so justifiable. it...
158Henry 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...
159Henry 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...
160Henry 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...
161From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 19 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you (from this place) I have received your letters of the 12th immediately from Philadelphia, and those of the 17th & 24th of April after their having taken a trip to the Southward. I find by Mrs Washington’s letters that Mr Frauncis is very desirous of introducing Mrs Read into the family again; this idea it would be well for him to relinquish at once, & forever; for, unless...
162Henry 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...
163Timothy Pickering to Tobias Lear, 3 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
I inclose the information given me by Colo. Louis. The copy of the letter from his nation bears date the 24th of January. I sent to the war-office for the Original, which I found was dated Feby 24th. Bad travelling at the breaking up of winter and ten days sickness, Louis says have occasion so much delay in his journey. He is anxious to return. In great haste sincerely yours ALS , MHi :...
164From 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...
165From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 18 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] November 18, 1791 . “The President has directed that a commission be made out for Mr Morris, now second mate—as first Mate of the N Y Cutter.…” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Richard Valentine Morris of New York.
166Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 1 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased to submit the enclosed letter to the President of the United States from Colonel Willet which I have just received. Yours sincerely ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed letter from Marinus Willett has not been identified.
167From 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;...
168Edmund 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...
169Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 6 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit the enclosed letters from Governors Moultrie and Blount to the President of the United States. Yours sincerely LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Knox’s clerk dated this letter “6 April” on the LS . Lear correctly docketed it as having been written on “6 Feby 1793” and inserted “Feby” above “April” in the dateline. Gov. William Moultrie of South Carolina, in his letter to Knox of 14...
170Franco Petrus Van Berckel to Tobias Lear, 6 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Coming to Town last Evening in my Phaeton I overtook one of the Presidents Carriages, which as I was about to pass (not Conceiving any impropriety in doing so) the Presidents Postilion drove his horses intentionaly across the road, so as to prevent my passing, altho’ he might have facilitated it, without any inconvenience to himself; & where by taking a different road from the other Carriages,...
171From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 30 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
Late this afternoon, and in company, I r[e]ceived your letter of yesterday’s date. Proposing to set out early in the morning, and the trifling incidents wch happened to occur on the road being related in the enclosed letter, I shall conclude with best wishes for yourself, Mrs Lear and the Child —and assurances of being Your sincere friend and Affectionate Servant ALS , IGK . GW was on his way...
172From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 2 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
By the Schooner Citizen, which will carry this to Gibraltar, are forwarded the greater part of the gun-carriages promised the Emperor of Morocco. When she was taken up for this business it was supposed that she would be able to carry them all, which on experiment was found to be a mistake. The remainder will be transported from Norfolk in a few weeks, by a victualler to be dispatched by the...
173Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 25 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased to submit the enclosed letters from Major Habersham, and Major Gaither to the President of the United States. Yours ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The letters from John Habersham to Knox of 23 and 29 April, which have not been identified, concerned the readiness of the Georgia militia ( JPP, Dorothy Twohig, ed. The Journal of the Proceedings of the President, 1793–1797 ....
174From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 18 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Before a final step is taken respecting a Keeper of the Virginia Lighthouse, I wish it to be known to The President (what I did not advert to yesterday) that Mr. Cornick was appointed by Colo. Newton to oversee the building of a Lighthouse, for which he will receive a quantum meruit . This is a circumstance in his favour tho’ a very slight one, and such as may be overruled by any other...
175Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 21 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, Saturday Evening, 21 Jan. 1792. Please submit the enclosed to the president; “I suspect the letter signed by the Cornplanter to have been written by the Mr Baldwin therein named.” ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed letter from Cornplanter has not been identified. It might have been a reply to the letter Henry Knox sent Cornplanter on 7 Jan. 1792 by Lt. John Jeffers...
176From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 21 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 17th came by the Post of yesterday—and as, by the purport of it, there is a probability that this letter may find you either at George town or Mount Vernon, I write it for the purpose of declaring that, your going to the latter place is viewed by me as a very kind & friendly Act. The Acct given of Mr Whiting by Doctr Craik, is a very distressing one; not only as it respects...
177From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 28 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
It gave me very sincere pleasure to find by your letter of the 22d instt (which by the by did not come to my hands until the evening of the 26th; not time enough to acknowledge the receipt of it by the Post of next day) that you had arrived in good health at George Town with a valuable cargo of Goods, & that you had arranged your business to your satisfaction in England, Scotland and Holland....
178John Fenno to Tobias Lear, 24 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
[New York] 24 July 1790. Sends two bound volumes of the Gazette of the United States after a delay of two months because of problems at the bindery and notes that one volume is a complimentary copy for GW’s library and the other is to replace issues earlier loaned by Lear. ALS , DLC:GW . John Fenno established the semiweekly Gazette of the United States in April 1789 at the seat of the new...
179From 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...
180From 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...
181From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 21 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, November 21, 1789. “I have received the letter which you enclosed to me in yours of this date.… I shall pay due attention to the information it conveys.…” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
182Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 4 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
please to inform me how the Presidents health is in this bad weather, and whether he can receive company today. Yours sincerely ALS , DLC:GW . For GW’s illness, see Lear to Jefferson, 31 May . The precise state of GW’s health is not known, but GW’s executive journal indicates that on this date Knox “put into my hands a letter” ( JPP Dorothy Twohig, ed. The Journal of the Proceedings of the...
183Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 5 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have just received by Jasper Parish The interpreter the enclosed letters from the Commissioners at Niagara, informing of the postponement of the treaty for a month at least. please to submit them to The President of the U. States. Yours truly LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Knox wrote the last sentence and the closing on the LS document. In March, GW had appointed Benjamin Lincoln, Timothy...
184Joseph Nourse to Tobias Lear, 8 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
Register’s Office, Treasury of the United States [Philadelphia], 8 Nov. 1790. Forwards for the use of Lear’s office a statement of the accounts of the United States during the administration of Robert Morris as superintendent of finance and statements of Morris’s receipts and expenditures of public monies. LB , DLC:GW . On 10 Feb. 1790 Robert Morris presented a petition to Congress requesting...
185Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 14 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have before me Your favour of the 6th & 10th Int. to answer which I could not do by last Post for want of the Necessary information respecting the Boulting Cloths. Mr Lewis says that he is at a Loss to put up the Boulting Cloth until he knows the size that will suit he says that a Reel which in the whole length is ten feet (the Common size here) requires a Cloth of 8 feet 3 Inches long and...
186From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 1 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
Herewith you will receive the commission under which you are to reside in St. Domingo, and a copy of the ordinary instructions given to Consuls. In the former you will observe that the title of your Predecessor is varied to that of General Commercial Agent &c. This change is understood however as having no effect either on the functions or advantages attached to your commission; but merely as...
187From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 8 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
My last was of the 24th day of November since which date I have received your several letters as far as No 18 inclusive. The peace between France and England has been officially known here for several weeks, but the measures likely to follow this event in relation to St. Domingo have reached us no otherwise than in scattered indistinct and unauthentic reports. An early idea appeared in the...
188From Thomas Jefferson to Tobias Lear, 5 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Oct. 10. reached me at Monticello only the night before my departure; that of Nov. 1. last night. I have thrown upon paper very roughly such notes as my memory enables me to make, for my papers are not at present at this place. I also inclose letters to such acquaintances of mine as I think may be most useful to you. There are none to London, because I have none there, and you...
189From 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,...
190Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 15 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Supervisor of Massachusetts is desirous of permission to come to Philadelphia on urgent private business. I believe the permission may be given him without injury to the service. Will you mention the matter to the President and inform me by a line whether permission may be notified to him or not. Your’s &ca LB , DLC:GW . Commissioner of the Revenue Tench Coxe wrote Nathaniel Gorham on 18...
191From 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...
192From Thomas Jefferson to Tobias Lear, 24 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Lear. He has been endeavoring this morning, while the thing is in his mind to make a statement of the cost and expences of the President’s wines, but not having a full account of the whole from Fenwick he is unable to do it but on sight of the account rendered by him to the President. If Mr. Lear, the first time any circumstance shall give him...
193From 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...
194Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 21 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit the, enclosed, to the President of the United States. Yours sincerely LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . According to GW’s executive journal for 21 Aug. 1793, the enclosure was a letter from DeWitt Clinton (1769–1828), who served as a secretary for his uncle, New York governor George Clinton ( JPP Dorothy Twohig, ed. The Journal of the Proceedings of the President, 1793–1797 ....
195John Stagg, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 16 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you, enclosed, by order of the Secretary of War, and which he requests may be laid before the President, a letter just received from brigadier general Wilkinson of the 11th December 1792, with several enclosures. I am Sir, with respectful consideration, Your obedt Servt ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The letter from James Wilkinson, commandant of Fort Washington, to...
196David Rittenhouse to Tobias Lear, 27 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
We have begun to Assay some of the European Coins, and shall proceed tomorrow, at the Mint, if it will be convenient for the President to attend about 12 oClock. Should any accident happen before that time to occasion delay, I will give you notice. I am, Sir, your most obedient humble Servant ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. For the resolution directing GW to have the gold and silver...
197From 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...
198Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 14 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased to submit the enclosed letter of the 9th of May from Genl Wayne. and also a letter from Jas Seagrove of the 30th of April. ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Anthony Wayne’s letter to Knox of 9 May 1793 reported the army’s arrival on 5 May at Hobson’s Choice, Wayne’s temporary headquarters on the Ohio River, at present-day Cincinnati and near Fort Washington. The major topics of this...
199From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 26 October 1811 (Madison Papers)
The notice that the departure of the Store vessel is taking place, being sudden, I cannot specify the several letters for which I am indebted. I believe from successive references recollected by me, that none have miscarried. I must particularly thank you for the Sheep & Wheat accompanied by one of them. The Wheat was sown partly by myself, and partly by several friends among whom it was...
200From 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...