William Pearce to Tobias Lear, 11 May 1792
William Pearce to Tobias Lear
Philadelphia May 11th 1792
Mr Lear Sir.
I now have my Machinery &c. at Work, and should be glad to be informed when the President of the United States and his Lady, would be pleased to Honor me with their Company, to take a look at them.
Mrs Hamilton has likewise a desire to see them, when the President and his Lady, is pleased to fix the time, I will let her know, if it is agreeable to them.
Your answer by the bearer, if convenient will greatly oblige Sir Your obt hble Servant
Wm Pearce
P.S. Mr Hamilton & Mr Jefferson wishes to be there at the same time.1
ALS, NNGL.
For the background to William Pearce’s immigration to the United States and his part in the invention of an improved double loom, see Thomas McCabe to GW, 21 July 1790, Thomas Attwood Digges to GW, c.28 April (letter-not-found entry), 1 July, 12 Nov. 1791, and GW to Thomas Jefferson, 12 July 1791, and note 3.
1. On 9 June 1792 the Gazette of the United States (Philadelphia) reported that “On Tuesday last [5 June] the PRESIDENT of the United States, and his Lady, attended by the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of the Treasury and his Lady, visited Mr. Pearce’s Cotton Manufactory. The President attentively viewed the Machinery, &c. and saw the business performed in its different branches—which received his warmest approbation.”