51From 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...
52From 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...
53From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 6 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 26th of Jany with a Postscript of the 30th of the same month, by Captn Truxton, and another of the 12th of Feby by a Vessel to New York, I have safely received. But neither the one from Glasgow (with the box) nor the other by the Peggy, referred to in the above letters, are yet come to hand. The Watch, and Portrait of the Earl of Buchan, were received in very good order. The...
54From 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...
55From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 20 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Servant who carried my letter of the 17th to the Post Office in Alexandria returned with yours of the 12th which shall be the subject for this reply. Whatever Ideas, or remarks may have been excited by my going into Mr Morris’s House I know not; but this I am sure of, that to do it was farthest from my expectations. The Corperation of the City (by whom it was engaged) made attempts, it...
56From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 5 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
After a pleasant Journey we arrived in this City about 2 O clock on thursday last. Tomorrow we proceed (if Mrs Washingtons health, for she has been much indisposed since she came here) towards Mount Vernon. The House of Mr R. Morris had, previous to my arrival, been taken by the Corporation for my residence. It is the best they could get. It is, I believe, the best single House in the City;...
57From 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...
58From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 12 January 1795 (Washington Papers)
On friday last I wrote you a few lines, and assigned reasons for not writing more fully. In addition to what I then said, which was only to inform you that permission had been given, by the Canal Company of this State, for Mr Weston to visit the falls of Potomack, and that he might be expected at the federal city about the first of next month, I shall notice with concern—it being contrary to...
59From 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...
60From 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,...
61From 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...
62From 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...
63From 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;...
64From 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...
65From 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...
66From 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....
67From 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...
68From 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...
69From 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,...
70From 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...
71From 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...
72From 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...
73From 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...
74From 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...
75From 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...
76From 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...
77From 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...
78From 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...
79From 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...
80From 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...
81From 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...
82From 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...
83From 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...
84From 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...
85From 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...
86From 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...
87From 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...
88From 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...
89From 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...
90From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 11 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday we arrived at this place in good health, but with horses much worn down. To morrow I expect to reach Mt Vernon —where, even if my horses were able to proceed, I am obliged to remain until the 27th instant—the day appointed by me at the last meeting, to meet the Commissioners at George town, in order to fix on the spot for the public buildings, and for other purposes, arising from the...
91From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 18 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
I recollect no business of sufficient importance to require your return hither, sooner than Doctr Thornton conceives will allow him sufficent time to effect your cure. Were the case however otherwise, far would it be from me, to request this return before so desirable an object is accomplished. I do not therefore wish you to hurry it, on account of my business. Charles takes a horse up for...
92From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 3 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you—from George Town—I have, I believe, received your letters of the 23d, 24th, & 27th ult. Whether a certain Gentleman is the man I conceived him to be, or such a one as is hinted at in the letter you enclosed me, is not yet certain; but, admitting the latter, it is too late to look back. —I cannot be in a less productive situation by the engagement than I was;—the principal...
93From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 2 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you, which I think was written on this day week, I have received your letters of the 25th and 27th Ulto. I am not yet enabled to speak decisively with respect to the Blankets. Many have arrived, but are not yet opened, in Alexandria. Mr Wilson, who has imported of them largely, at from 56/. to 75/. Sterg pr piece of 15 blankets; has offered them to me at 70 prCt but as he...
94From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 8 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at this place at the time appointed—to wit—the 1st inst. but did not receive your letter of the 3d until yesterday for want of a regulr Comn with the P. Office and this too at a time when as you have well suppos’d I was immerced in the consideration of Papers from the different Departments after a seperation from the heads of them almost two Mo. I have, however, run over your...
95From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 14 May 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Tobias Lear, 14 May 1791. On 3 June 1791 Lear wrote to David Humphreys: “I had a letter a few days ago from the President dated Savannah May 14th” ( PPRF ).
96From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 25 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have not written to you since we parted, but had just sat down to do it when your letter of the 13th instt was brought to me from the Post Office in Alexandria. It gave Mrs Washington, myself and all who knew him, sincere pleasure to hear that our little favourite had arrived safe, & was in good health at Portsmouth—We sincerely wish him a long continuance of the latter—that he may always be...
97From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 25 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 20th instt, with the Bill of lading for the Goods in the Sloop Salem, and another letter of the 15th are both received; and I hope this will find you safely arrived in the Federal City. I have got Painters at work in order to prepare my rooms for the furniture which is expected; but I find I have begun at the wrong end, for some joiners work (of the deficiency of which I was...
98From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 21 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 14th Instant did not get to my hands before Saturday. Mine dated the 13th acknowledging the receipt of your favors of the 26th Ulto & 2d Inst. must, I presume, have been received in due course of the Post, and therefore to repeat the contents of it is unnecessary. A Mr Summers of Alexandria, is very desirous of purchasing my vacant lot in that Town, and having been told that...
99From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 18 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 13th instt came to me yesterday. previous to which your other letters of the 24th & 30th Ulto had been duly received. About a fortnight ago, I saw and spoke to Mr Weston myself, respecting his visit to the Falls of Potomack; and wished, if he was able, that he would name the time he would, or expected, to be there. He answered, about the last of this month. That he had to...
100From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 30 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 17th instt came safe to hand, but not before the 26th. I intended to have written to you by Colo. Rochfontaine, but he went off unknown to me. Upon a second view of the site at the conflux of the Rivers Potomack and Shenandoah, with the explanations he will receive from Colo. Gilpin and yourself, I hope & expect the advantages of that spot will strike him more favorable than...