George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 15 March 1786

From Benjamin Lincoln

Boston March 15h 1786

My dear General

Immediately on the receipt of your Excellencys favor of the 6th Ulto I wrote to Mr Lear, who lives at Portsmouth New Hampshire, on the subject of joyning your family and requested to know the terms, ⅌ Year, he would perform the several duties pointed out The following is an extract from his letter in answer to mine “Two hundred dollars ⅌ annum will be satisfactory on my [part] for the services which I shall render his Excellency in the capacity of a preceptor to the Children and private secretary to him. The advantages which I think must accrue to me from a connexion with that exalted Character and the company which resorts to the House will have a greater weight than any pecuniary considerations. My leisure hours I shall devote to the study of the law: And one or more I think, by method, I can call my own every day without neglecting the duties I am to perform, unless, when some pressing circumstances require particular dispatch” Mr Lear writes a good hand & has obtained a pretty good knowledge of the most exact method of book-keeping—It is now said little may be expected from, the supposed invention, of extracting fresh from salt water. With sentiments of the highest esteem I have the honor of being your Excellency’s most Obedient servt

B. Lincoln

ALS, DLC:GW.

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