201Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 10 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 30th Ulto I have had an Opportunity of further Enquiry Concerning Buckwheat and find that it cannot easily be had before the Close of Winter but can be Certainly procured during the winter about the prices mentioned in my last letter. Capt. Carhart is arrived from Alexandria and tells me he shall return immediately to potowmack if he can procure a Freight and in that Case...
202Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 23 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit the enclosed letters from M. Genl Wayne to the President of the United States. When he shall have perused them, I pray they may be returned, with any remarks he may think proper, as I must answer them this day. Yours sincerely, ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . “Your letters of the 14 and 16 instant,” Knox wrote Wayne on 24 Nov., “have been received and submitted to the president”...
203From Thomas Jefferson to Tobias Lear, 14 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his friendly salutations to Colo. Lear, and prays him to give the best conveyance he can to the inclosed letter. he wishes a pleasant voyage & happy issue of his peacemaking mission : and the rather as the purchase of Louisiana will require the aid of all our resources to pay the interest of the additional debt without laying a new tax, and of course call for the...
204Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 24 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit the enclosed letter, from Major Hamtramck previously to the Presidents departure. excuse my not endorsing them. ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Lear’s docket and the letter-book copy indicate that this letter was written on 24 March 1793, which was a Sunday. John Francis Hamtramck wrote two letters to Knox, both dated 6 February. Although neither letter has been identified, they...
205John Stagg, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 7 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit to the President of the United States, the enclosed letter from Capt: Wm Buchanan dated 6th instant, offering his resignation. Yours most respectfully. ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Maryland native William Buchanan had served as a captain in the army since 1791. Although his letter to Secretary of War Henry Knox has not been identified, GW’s executive journal states that...
206From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 7 June 1806 (Madison Papers)
In the present posture of our affairs with Tunis the President has judged it proper that you should repair thither with a view to an adjustment of them. Of this notice was given to you in my letter of 15 May with an instruction to get to Gibraltar by the earliest conveyance and proceed, thence in the vessel in which the Tunissian Minister Mellimelli would be returning home. This vessel has...
207Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 24 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I send by the bearer for the use of the President of the United States, a set of the Atlantic Neptune in three volumes folio, and a volume of the West India Atlas, which I imported from the England for public service—I have only to request that your would please to sign the duplicate receipts herein enclosed. I am Dear sir Your humble servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . This letter accompanied...
208From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 23 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I find it necessary to request of you the Commissions of the several gentlemen, whom the President was pleased to appoint as Commissioners to receive subscriptions to the Bank of the United States. The persons appointed are Thomas Willing } of Pennsylvania David Rittenhouse Saml. Howell John Beale Bordley of Maryland and Lambert Cadwalader of New Jersey. You will oblige me by procuring the...
209From 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...
210Henry Remsen, Jr. to Tobias Lear, 1 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The power or commission from the President of the United States to the Secretary of the Treasury to borrow money, I will do myself the honor of sending you a copy of tomorrow, as we shall be wholly employed this day in completing several pieces of business that require finishing before Mr. Jefferson sets out.—The powers from the Secretary of the Treasury to Mr. Short, and to Messrs. Willinks,...
211From 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...
212Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 30 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have made further Enquiry Concerning the Buckwheat, and find that altho’ the Crops round Town, which I had observed were favourable that they were not equally so further in the Country and a person who purchased two or three hundred bushels within a few Days past for Shipping was obliged to pay 3/ for it. from the best Information, it may be procured @ 2/6 to 2/9—but will...
213From 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...
214From 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...
215Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 9 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit to the President of the United States, the enclosed proposed draft of a letter to Governor Blount. I am Sir Your humble servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . In the draft of his letter to William Blount, dated 8 Feb., Knox requested that the governor of the Southwest Territory convince “John Watts & other influential Chiefs of the Cherokee Nation” to come to Philadelphia for a...
216From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 26 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
William Hart Esqr. of Saybrook, Connecticut, has a claim upon the Government of St. Domingo, for the use of his Sloop Harriet, for 32 days, by virtue of a requisition of the Military Chiefs acting under Genl. Toussaint. It appears that Dr. Stevens formerly took up this business, and procured a promise from that General to make satisfaction for the injury, as soon as the state of the Treasury...
217George 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 .
218From 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...
219From 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...
220From 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...
221From 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...
222From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 19 June 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Tobias Lear. 19 June 1806, Department of State. “The Government of Algiers having expressed a desire to have the benefit of the services of an American Physician, Dr Thomas Triplitt has been selected to reside there. In the inclosed copy of his instructions you will see the objects his appointment is intended to favor and the footing upon which it is placed. As Dr Triplitt enjoys...
223Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 8 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have sent a bale wth 5 pieces of Blankets on board the Brig for Alexandria and will endeavor to get the bill of loading in time for this Evening—I am waiting for the picture frame from McEllwee which he has repeatedly promised & dissappointed me. Yr very Ob. st ALS , DLC:GW . Biddle wrote Lear again the next morning: “I have delayd sending the bill of loading until this morning in hopes of...
224From Thomas Jefferson to Tobias Lear, [22 November 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Lear and informs him he has recieved from Mr. Short a statement of the cost of the Champagne imported this year for the President, to wit 1680. livres. He sends him a statement of the whole, exact, except of the proceeds of the sterling money at Paris, which Mr. Short has not yet informed him of. He thought he should have had money enough in Mr....
225From 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...
226From 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...
227From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 25 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Pursuant to instructions from the President of the United States, I am to request that you will cause some of the blank commissions left with you to be filled as follows: one with the name of John Whitaker as Inspector of the revenue for Survey No. 4. in the District of North Carolina, one with the name of Joseph McDowell the elder, as inspector of the revenue for survey No. 5. in the same...
228Thomas Jefferson to Tobias Lear, 19 June 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of May 31. is but recently recieved. I had learnt with pleasure your safe arrival in the US. since it had pleased the potent Dey to break with us, to his disadvantage, to ours, & whether to yours or not you can best judge. mrs Lear at least must be glad to be once more among friends. I suppose we can do little with the Dey till we have peace with England . but then I would, at any...
229Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 11 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Louis of the Cagnahwagnas has come to town, he says with some information from Canada, which he is to let me know today. Shall I ask him to dine with the senecas, at the Presidents to day? Yours I have just recd yours, and the speech shall be submitted. ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . For the information provided by Louis Cook, see Knox to Lear, 14 Feb., n.1. While in Philadelphia, Cook...
230From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 14 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
The opinion the President entertains of your unshaken integrity and firmness has led him to select you for the office of Consul General at Algiers, a station in which those qualities are eminently requisite, and which, as well on that account as of the importance of the trust to the peace and interests of your Country, is considered as highly honorable. As you have already made yourself in...
231From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [29 October 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The bearer John Wood shaved and dressed me in New York. He has taken it into his head to try his fortune here. I have found him sober and punctual & he has done my business to my satisfaction. He desires to have the honor of dealing with the heads & Chins of some of your family and I give him this line, at his request, to make him known to you. Yrs. with great regard ALS , Mr. Stephen Decatur,...
232From 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...
233From 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...
234From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 5 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] April 5, 1791 . Asks for commissions for seven inspectors of the revenue. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
235Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 30 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased to submit to the President of the U.S., the enclosed reply of the accountant of the War department, to the accusation of Christian Beackly. Yours sincerely ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The complaint of Christian Beackley (1754–c.1801–3) of Philadelphia, who had served as a lieutenant in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War, has not been identified, but it may have been...
236From 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...
237From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 30 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
Since my letter of the l7. inst. was sent on board the Chesapeake, I have received your two communications of January 25th. and March 6th. on the subject of your proceedings at Tunis, and have the pleasure to inform you that the adjustment of our differences with that Regency in which they terminated, is approved by the President, and regarded as an additional proof that his confidence in your...
238Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 11 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
Will you please to submit to the President of the United States the enclosed letters from major general Wayne, and to inform him that as the paymaster has arrived at head quarters, pay, to complete the army for the last year, will be prepared, and forwarded instantly. I am, dear Sir, Yours sincerely— LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . An entry in GW’s executive journal for 11 Jan. 1793 indicates GW’s...
239From 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...
240From 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...
241From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 13 June 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 June 1804, Department of State. “The credit given to you with Sir Francis Baring & Co. for four thousand five hundred pounds Stg., as expressed in the letter of the Secretary of the Treasury, of which a copy is enclosed, is in lieu of the remittance of 20,000 dollars promised in my general letter by this conveyance.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, IC , vol. 1). 1 p. Gallatin to JM, 12 June...
242From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 14 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
I inclose a copy of a Proclamation of the President, by which you will find the critical state of things between this Country and Great Britain. The conduct of the Squadron in the waters of Virginia, subsequent to the outrageous attack on the Chesapeake, has been in the highest degree insulting to the national Sovereignty; amounting, in fact, to invasion and hostility. The course which it will...
243William Loughton Smith to Tobias Lear, 19 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
As the Revenue Bill now under consideration contemplates a Supervisor of the Revenue in each State, I beg to recommend to the President Mr Daniel Stevens, as a very proper person for that Office. He is the gentleman whom I formerly recommended as Marshall of the District & as my Letter on that occasion enumeratd the qualifications & pretensions of that gentleman I will not here repeat them,...
244From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 11 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, September 11, 1792. Encloses a letter “left at the office by Mr. Fraunces the Steward … of the President of the United States.” LS , from an anonymous donor. Samuel Fraunces, formerly the proprietor of Fraunces Tavern in New York City.
245From 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...
246Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 24 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Will you please to submit the enclosed letters of the 27th and 30th July from the Secretary of the South Western Territory, and their enclosures to the President of the United States. I am Sir with great esteem Your humble servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Daniel Smith’s letter to Knox of 27 July, from Knoxville, reported that the unauthorized attack on some Cherokee Indians by a party of...
247Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 10 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased to submit to the President of the United States the enclosed letters from General Wayne and Major Gaither —the former descended the Ohio on the 30th Ultimo and in all probability was at Fort Washington on the 6. instant. I am Dear Sir Your humble servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . For Anthony Wayne’s letter to Knox of 29 April, in which he reported on his army’s preparations to...
248From Thomas Jefferson to Tobias Lear, 28 February 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
A friend of mine having desired me to invest some money for him in canal shares, I am desirous of getting information relative to the Patowmac canal as to the following particulars. What proportion of the work is done? What proportion remains to do? When will it probably be completed? What per cent profit will it probably yield, in the present state of population and produce? Can shares be...
249VI. Christopher Gore to Tobias Lear, 10 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
A few weeks since, a gentleman by the name of Stokes, arrivd from Great Britain at some port in the Southern States on his way to Nantucket, to which place he went, and remained there some weeks. He then came to Boston, and embarked for Halifax. From what I have heard I am induc’d to believe this gentleman came from England, by the direction of Lord Hawkesbury and Mr. Grenville, for the...
250From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 2 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Yr. letter of the 15 of Decr. last was delayed in getting to hand by the circumstance of its having gone to N. York while I was at Phila. and of its having arrived at Phila. after I had set out on my return to N. York. The very painful event which it announces had, previously to the receipt of it, filled my heart with bitterness. Perhaps no man in this community has equal cause with myself to...