51From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 10 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
We arrived at this place to dinner and shall remain all night. To morrow we shall proceed but slowly. As I have missed the Post of this afternoon, and another does not happen until Monday it is probable this letter will not reach your hands in time. If the case however should be otherwise, and you have means to accomplish it, let me request you to provide for me as usual new Carpeting as will...
52Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 19 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
Will you be so good as to inform the President of the United States, that French Peter, who was in France with the Marquis, died last night, and that he will be buried to morrow —This event will prevent, according to their customs, their waiting on the President until thursday 12 o’clock. I am Dear Sir, Yours LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia) reported on 28...
53From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 12 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
As I ride on matters occur to me and I shall take the chance of mentioning them to you before you may have left Philadelphia. A boat was bespoke, but no direction given either for the payment or mode of getting it round. My credit is at stake as it respects the first, and my interest as it regards the second, and I shall be obliged to you for seeing how both can be promoted. It is incumbent on...
54From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 31 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
If perchance you should happen to see Mr. Blagden before you leave the City, be so good as to get from him a statement of the preparations for my buildings therein. I do not find by inquiry of Mr. Lewis, that there is much show of this on the ground! I advised strongly that the foundation stone and lime, should be laid in last Autumn, when the Roads were good;—had this been done the Work might...
55Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 15 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit to the President a letter from Gov. Blount of the 9th of May relatively to the measures he adopted for the defence of Cumberland —the last letters, before the present from Gov. Blount were dated the 15th of May. Yours sincerely ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Southwest Territory governor William Blount wrote Knox on 9 May that “the enclosed copies of letters and orders to General...
56Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 25 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
I omitted to day to ask the President’s approbation of Colo. Pickering, as quarter master of the proposed expedition. Will you mention it to him, and let me know the result! Because, if he should approve the idea, it will be necessary to dispatch an express to Colo. Pickering with the Offer. I am Dear Sir, Your humble Servt LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Knox apparently met with GW on 25 Feb. to...
57Joshua 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...
58John 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,...
59From 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...
60From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 20 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
I have received your several letters of the 7th May 16th July and 3d Novr. last with their inclosures. Several points which they present for consideration in relation to the routine of affairs at Algiers, are passed over for the present as they are unconnected with the Mission in which you are engaged, and may be conveniently taken up hereafter. Upon reviewing the instructions transmitted to...
61From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 25 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received your Letters of Feby 12th. and 28th. the latter of which includes your Journal from Febry 1st. to that date. The latter having but just come to hand, has been but barely perused. We are fully sensible of the difficulties and anxieties into which you have been thrown by the late occurrences. It is with pleasure that I can console you with an Assurance, that your exertions...
62From 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...
63John 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...
64From 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,...
65Dominick 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 &...
66From Thomas Jefferson to Tobias Lear, 7 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Lear: he has been calculating the march of the President at 200. miles a week and he makes it as follows. May 20. he will be at Augusta 24. at Cambden 26. Charlotte 27. Salisbury 28. Salem 30. Guilford 31. Hillsboro’ June 1. Harrisbg. 2. Taylor’s ferry 7. Fredsbg 8. Mt. Vernon. On this view he is of opinion that tomorrow’s letter, put into the...
67John 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...
68From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 13 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 26th Ulto and 2d Instant, came safe to hand, after some delay. The first, with the Will of Harper, has been put into the hands of the Attorney Genl, to aid him in the conveyances. To such parts of the second, as require it, I am about to reply; first expressing my satisfaction at the happy termination of the business which you undertook, in behalf of the Public. Having no...
69Henry 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....
70From 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...
71Certificate 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...
72Henry 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...
73Henry 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,...
74From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 28 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
I avail myself of the opportunity, which is still open, by the Chesapeake, to inform you that measures are just taken for placing 30,000 dollars in the hands of Sir Francis Baring and Company, subject to your orders. If the state of our pecuniary affairs with Algiers should render it advisable, you will therefore be able to draw on that House to an amount not exceeding that sum. Drafts beyond...
75From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 31 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am alone at present, and shall be glad to see you this evening. Unless some one pops in, unexpectedly, Mrs Washington and myself will do what I believe has not been [done] within the last twenty years by us, that is to set down to dinner by ourselves. I am Yr affectionate ALS (photocopy), Charles Hamilton catalog no. 23, 13 Dec. 1967. In his Letters and Recollections, 120, Lear added here...
76From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 30 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letter from New York came duly to hand, and I was glad to find you had got that far in safety. I wish the remainder of your journey may prove equally pleasant and prosperous. My journey was not of this sort, for after I had parted with the Coach horses I was plagued with those which succeeded them, the following day; and the sick mare, by a dose of Physic which had been administered the...
77Henry 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...
78Alexander 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...
79Henry Remsen, Jr. to Tobias Lear, 24 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 24 Dec. 1790 .Enclosing a duplicate commission for Edward Church, made out by order of the Secretary of State because Mr. Church left England about the time the original was dispatched from New York and did not receive it. The “Year of Independence” not added to the duplicate because not in the original. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); dated “Friday noon” and endorsed as received 24...
80Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 6 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit to the President of the United States, the enclosed letters, from Brigadier General Wilkinson and John Belli deputy quarter master—dated Oct: 4th and 8th 1792; which I have just received. Yours sincerely, LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed letters from James Wilkinson and John Belli have not been identified.
81From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [5 September 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his compliments to Mr. Lear and sends the two commissions for south Carolina. He would wait on the president to day but is prevented by a slight attack of a disorder common to him at the change of weather usual at this season. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See Lear to H, September 3, 1791 .
82From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 6 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure of your letter of the 27 of August, and thank you very much for the trouble you have taken. We could assure a compensation of 600 Dollars among twelve, and we would consent to an increase of the School to the number requisite to make up the 1000 in the same proportion of compensation—if we did not ourselves prefer to make the addition. This is all that can be now promised....
83From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 24–26 April 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Tobias Lear, c.24–26 April 1791. On 15 May Lear wrote GW that he received a letter from GW that covered one to Mrs. Washington, “which she informed me was dated at Wilmington.” GW was in Wilmington, N.C., from 24 to 26 April.
84Henry 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...
85From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 14 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Mount Vernon Novr 14th 1790 . Having wrote two letters to you on the subject of Page’s Stage Coach (one or the other of which, if not both, it is presumable will certainly have got to hand before this can) I shall add no more thereto than that, the Coach of Page is now my dependence. I am, I must confess, exceedingly unwilling to go into a house without first knowing on...
86John Lamb to Tobias Lear, 22 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
New York, 22 Mar. 1792. Requests Lear’s “favor, in delivering the enclosed.” ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosure was Lamb’s letter of this date to Martha Washington covering a receipt for two barrels of “Newtown Pippins” being shipped on the New York packet, for which he begged her acceptance. On 10 Dec. 1790 he had sent the first lady three barrels of apples, along with some ginger and salmon (...
87Henry 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...
88Henry 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 ,...
89From 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...
90From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 31 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 24th since the date of my last to you; and am very glad to hear that the most valuable parts of the furniture have borne their transportation without receiving damage, and that your expectation of equal success with respect to the remainder, is sanguine. I am pained, however, to find there is a doubt that the House will not be completely finished & ready for...
91From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 26 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you I have received your two letters of the 21st instant—one dated in the morning, and the other in the evening of that day. What appeared to you to be the object of the formal enquiries of Mr Powell and the Mayor of the City, in their late interrogatories? Did they mean to convict Mr Gallatine of mis-representation—or me of an improper interference in the building of a House...
92Roger 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,...
93Alexander 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...
94From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 8 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you from this place, your letter of 3d instt has been received transmitting Colo. Cannon’s Rental, and Mr de Barth’s profession of inability to discharge his Bond. The latter seems to be a more candid acct than the former; but with both, I must be satisfied—presuming, I shall never obtain better, from either. Before you say any thing to Mr C——with respect to the lands which Mr...
95From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 21 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
Your several letters from No. 1 to No. 12 inclusive have been duly received, and I have the pleasure to express to you the President’s approbation, both of your punctuality in transmitting information, and of the prudence which appears to have guided your conduct, since your entrance into the Station confided to you. Frequent and full communications will continue to be acceptable, from a...
96From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 21 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have written but one letter to you since I came to this place —I was on the point of writing a second when yours of the 5th of August came to my hands informing me of your intention to leave Portsmouth about the first of this month, and expectation of reaching Philadelphia (if no unforeseen delays happened) the 20th. This information arrested my intention, as it was uncertain at what place...
97From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 21 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 17th instt was received yesterday, and I am glad to find that an act of the Virginia Assembly has been obtained, for prolonging the term for the completion of the inland navigation of the Potomac. The like I hope has been, or will be obtained, this Session, in the Assembly of Maryland. A good opportunity presenting itself on thursday last, I embraced it, to enquire of Mr...
98Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 26 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
The prices of Stocks for Cash in this City on the 1st August last were for 6 ⅌ Cts 21/4 3 ⅌ Cts 12/6 deferred 13/4
99From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [15 December 1792] (Hamilton 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. Yours &c. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Nathaniel Gorham. See Tench...
100Henry 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...