1From John Adams to Tobias Lear, 24 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
I recd—in due Season your Letter of the fifteenth of this Month, and immediately communicated it to both Houses of Congress in a Message. The melancholly Event announced in it, had been before communicated to the Legislature, but upon less authentic and regular Evidence. The American People are sincere Mourners, under the loss of their Friend and Benefactor. For General Washington it is a...
2Roger 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,...
3Roger 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...
4Alexander 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...
5Clement 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
6Clement 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...
7Clement 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...
8Clement 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...
9Clement 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...
10Clement 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...
11Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 22 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
After the Departure of the last post I recd your favour of 17th Instant handed me by major Jackson. I did not expect the return of the president so early or should have lodged Mr Bartram’s Answer which did not reach me til some time after I wrote to him—I waited on Mr Morris to pay him the 32 £s 12 s. 2 d. Balance due to Governeur Morris Esqr. & for the Black Sattin & Floor Matts—Mr Cottringer...
12Samuel Blair to Tobias Lear, 27 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
Allow me, Sir, the liberty, which I now assume, of addressing the President of the United States through you in consequence of the unavoidable delay of an answer to his and Mrs Washington’s invitation to Mrs Blair and myself to dine with them on Thursdy next. The delay was owing to my not being able to procure an earlier information from Mrs Blair on the subject. She is very sorry that it is...
13“John A. Dingwell” to Henry Knox or Tobias Lear, 17 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
In The incloased I Send you a letter I did myself the honour to write to the President yesterday in answer to one he honoured me with[.] in mine to him I have incloased a peaper that it or one to the Same purport must be Signed before I make the least discovery as in the peapers I Can lay before him there is that that might indanger the lives of Gentlemen I wou’d Sooner die then hurt who is...
14John 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...
15VI. 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...
16Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 4 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 4 Jan. 1793. Presents his compliments and writes that “The Statements went in yesterday, and are copying for the President.” LB , DLC:GW . Hamilton is referring to the four statements that comprised his “Report on Foreign Loans” of 3 Jan. to the U.S. House of Representatives. For the text of Hamilton’s report, see Syrett, Hamilton Papers, Harold C. Syrett et al., eds. The Papers...
17Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 25 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
The proper fund for the payment of the enclosed is the 10,000 Dollars for defraying the contingent Expences of the Government. Will you add a few words directing it to be paid out of that fund. Yours LB , DLC:GW . This enclosure, which has not been found, was from Richard Harrison, auditor of the U.S. Treasury, and concerned the reimbursement of James Seagrove for the expenses he had incurred...
18From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 1 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, June 1, 1791. Requests the commissions for the Virginia inspectors of the revenue. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
19From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 23 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] April 23, 1793 . Asks “whether Mr Lee’s resignation was purely voluntary on his part, or was occasioned by any circumstance dissatisfactory to the President.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Charles Lee, collector of customs at Alexandria, Virginia. See Lee to H, April 12, 1793 .
20From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [17 February 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
If I understood the President aright, in a conversation some days since, it was his pleasure that a Mr. William Alexander of Rowan County in the State of North Carolina should be nominated as Inspector in place of Mr. Dowel who declined & whose commission I delivered to the President. If he has not mentioned the thing to you, will you ask his orders concerning it? ’Tis of importance the place...
21From 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 .
22From 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....
23Alexander 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...
24From 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...
25From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 25 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose to you, a letter to Col: Parker requesting you to forward it and to give me information how to direct in future to that Officer. I do not know the nearest Post Office to Harpers Ferry With great regard I am Sir Yr. obedt. Servt. ( LS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress; Df , in the handwriting of H and Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress;...
26From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [31 August 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The only person definitively concluded upon by the President, is Philip Thomas, as Inspector of the revenue for Survey No. 2, in the District of Maryland, comprehending the counties of Alleghany, Washington, Frederick, & Montgomery. It is his intention also to appoint Mr. Morris, the now 3d. mate of the Cutter at N.Y., to the Office of first mate, Mr. Boudenot having written me a letter of...
27From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 30 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I again take the liberty of troubling you, to forward the inclosed letter to Colonel Parker— With great regard, I am Sir Yr. obedt. servt. ( LS , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress; copy, in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
28From 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.
29From 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.
30From 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...
31From 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.
32Alexander 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...
33From 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...
34From 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...
35From 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,...
36From 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.
37From 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.
38From 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...
39From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [6 September 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, September 6, 1792. On the back of a letter that Lear wrote to Hamilton on August 27, 1792 , Hamilton wrote: “Answered Sepr. 6.” Letter not found. ]
40From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [26 March 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I have just received information that General Hand will serve as Inspector of the revenue, in which case it was the Presidents pleasure that his name should be inserted in the Blank commission, which was to be left for the purpose. You will please accordingly to have the name of Edward Hand inserted, & to get the commission completed. I shall be glad to receive it this forenoon. Yrs. sincerely...
41From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [24 February 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
The President is right. The person intended is Joseph McDowell the younger; and a more precise designation would be by adding, “ of Pleasant Garden. ” But I imagine it will be well to defer the matter ’till the general nomination of the Officers of Inspection is made to the Senate, & to include this case. Yrs. &c LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See H to Lear, February 17,...
42From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 17 December 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] December 17, 1792 . “The Secretary of the Treasury … transmits herewith sundry Commissions which from time to time have been returned.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
43From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 8 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the thirty first of October, and am much obliged to you for your attention to the Winter quarters of the Troops. With great consideration & esteem I am Sir Yr. obedt. Servt. ( LS , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress; Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; copy, in the...
44From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 22 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] June 22, 1792 . Encloses “a letter from Mr. Alibone, which contains some explanations respecting the Well at Cape Henelopen.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. William Allibone was superintendent of lighthouses, beacons, buoys, public piers, and stakage for Cape Henlopen and Delaware. On May 25, 1792, Allibone wrote to Tench Coxe: “Agreeably to your...
45From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [18 December 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, December 18, 1792. ] Sends lists of officers of revenue cutters of New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
46From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [25 May 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
The proper fund for the payment of the enclosed is the 10,000 Dollars for defraying the contingent Expences of the Government. Will you add a few words directing it to be paid out of that fund? Yours LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See H to George Washington, May 25, 1793 .
47From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 4 January 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] January 4, 1793 . “… The Statements went in yesterday, and are copying for the President.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. This is a reference to copies of the statements enclosed in “Report on Foreign Loans,” January 3, 1793 .
48Benjamin Hawkins to Tobias Lear, 26 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
No. 37 N. Carolina 26 novr 1792 On the same day you applied to me, I had a conference wth Mr Johnston and the representatives from N. Carolina the result of which this day is that Thomas Overton of More County or Henry Waters of [New] Hanover is equal to the appointment contemplated by the President. Overton was I believe of the rank of Major in the line of the late Army, and of the State of...
49From 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...
50From Thomas Jefferson to Tobias Lear, 14 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Will mr Lear do Th: Jefferson the favor of taking a family dinner with him to-day. RC ( InHi ); addressed: “Colo. Lear”; endorsed by Lear.