1Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 14 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have now before me your several favors of the 15th, 19th and 29th of August, and 2d of September. The Prayer-Books came safe to hand, and were much approved of by Mrs Washington. As there is, at present, no opportunity from this place to So. Carolina by water, I have taken the liberty to commit the enclosed letter to your care, requesting that you will be so good as to have it put on board...
2Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 16 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President has sent to Virginia a German who is to be a Gardener for him there. As he cannot speak the English Language and is unacquainted with the Country—I have paid his passage in the Stage to Philadelphia; and have written to Mr Inskeep—proprieter of the Stage there, to forward him from thence to Alexandria, and have informed him that the Amount of his Passage to the latter place would...
3Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 17 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
United States September 17th 1789. “The enclosed Letter was just now received by the President of the United States from the Governor of New York; and I am directed by the President of the United States to transmit the same to you, requesting that you will, after considering the subject, give him your opinion upon the expediency of his making an official or other communication of the...
4To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 21 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
By the command of the President of the United States, I do myself the honor to transmit to you the enclosed letters, which have been received by him, the subject of which come properly under the cognizance of the Treasury Department of the United States. The letters enclosed are, one from Mr. Leonard De Neufville dated June 1789. relating sundry transactions between himself & Partners and the...
5Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 28 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your much esteemed favors of the 16th & 25th instts are before me. The President’s acct contained in the former is right. Mrs Washington will thank you to get for her and send on here, 15 Yards of Padusoy of the enclosed Pattern. The President wishes to procure a considerable quantity of Clover seed; I will, therefore, thank you to inform me at what price a quantity can be had with you—and the...
6To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] October, 1789 . Transmits several letters relating to Samuel Caldwell. ALS , Applications for Office under George Washington, Library of Congress. Caldwell had been state tonnage inspector at Philadelphia up to 1789. Although he asked for a Federal appointment for the same job in April, 1789, applied for the surveyorship of the port in July, and asked for the post of lighthouse...
7Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 2 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 30th ultimo came to hand last evening accompanied with the Padusoy for Mrs Washington, the bill of which was enclosed. The President will thank you to get from Mr Bartram a list of the plants & shrubs which he has for sale, with the price affixed to each, and also a note to each of the time proper for transplanting them, as he is desireous of having some sent to Mount Vernon...
8To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 13 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The sum of two thousand five Dollars is necessary to be advanced to take up Notes which were given for money advanced for the household of the President of the United States previous to the organization of the Treasury Department. This sum added to two thousand Dollars which you have already advanced for the purpose of taking up Notes, will compleat the payment of all Monies advanced for the...
9Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 13 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
The sum of two thousand five Dollars is necessary to be advanced to take up notes which were given for money advanced for the household of the President of the United States previous to the organization of the Treasury Department. This sum added to two thousand Dollars which you have already advanced for the purpose of taking up Notes, will compleat the payment of all Monies advanced for the...
10Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 17 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 5th ultimo, in which you mention your having given the memo. contained in my letter of the 2d of October to a nephew of Mr Bartram who would deliver it to his uncle; but I have not since received any information relative to the plants & shrubs, my absence from New York with the President has undoubtedly been the cause of it. The President...
11Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 18 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the President of the United States to transmit to you the enclosed letters which have been received by him, and which come properly under the cognizance of the Secretary of War. The letters enclosed are as follows, viz. one from Samuel McDowell, as chairman of a committee of a Convention in Kentuckey, upon Indian Affairs in Kentuckey, and containing a list of sundry tribes of...
12To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 21 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I am directed by the President of the United States to enclose and send to you, a letter addressed to him from Thomas Newton Junr. Esquire of Norfolk, dated October 24th. 1789, containing an estimate made by Commissioners appointed by the States of Maryland and Virginia of the cost of building a lighthouse on Cape Henry in Virginia—an account of materials which were placed on the spot for that...
13Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 21 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you three letters from the supreme Executive of the State of Virginia upon the subject of Indian Affairs. These letters are addressed to the President of the United States, and have been duly acknowledged by him. As the President of the United States has directed me to transmit to you all letters & papers which have been received by him upon the subject of Indian...
14Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 25 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States has directed me to return the draft of the letter which you are about to send to the Governor of Georgia and to inform you that it meets his approbations. The President of the United States wishes you to send him the copy of the Instructions given to the Commissioners — which he will return to you in a few days. I have the Honor to be with perfect respect...
15To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 28 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the U States being very desirous that the several Accots. of those Articles which were furnished by directions of Saml. Osgood & William Duer Esqr. in pursuance of a resolution of both houses of Congress of the 15th. of April 1789. and deposited in the house provided for the President of the United States, for his use, should be settled & paid. He has therefore, directed me to...
16Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 28 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the U. States being very desirous that the several Accts of those Articles which were furnished by directions of Saml Osgood & William Duer Esqr in pursuance of a resolution of both houses of Congress of the 15th of April 1789 and deposited in the house provided for the President of the United States, for his use, should be settled & paid. He has, therefore, directed me to...
17Tobias Lear to William Duer, 4 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States will keep the Carriage provided for his use previous to his arrival in New-York—and as it will be considered upon the same footing with other articles furnished at that time and for that purpose —Mr Manley will therefore bring in his Accot accordingly. I am sir, with great respect Your most Obt Servt LB , DLC:GW . See Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 28...
18To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 18 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I am directed by the President of the United States to send you the enclosed letter from General Hazen dated Decr. 16th. and likewise a Memorial from the same person of the 12th. inst. together with the Copy of a letter written by the Presidents command in answer to the enclosed Memorial. I have the honor to be with perfect consideration Sir Your most Obedt. Servt. LC , George Washington...
19Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 18 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the President of the United States to send you the enclosed letter from General Hazen dated Decr 16th—and likewise a memorial from the same person of the 12th inst: together with the Copy of a letter written by the Presidents command in answer to the enclosed Memorial. I have the honor to be with perfect consideration Sir Your most Obedt Servt LB , DLC:GW . None of these...
20Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 21 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge your three favors of the 22d & 30th of Novr and 10th of Decr—all of which have been duly laid before the President, who now directs me to request that you will be so good as to inform me in your next, at what price per bushel 350 bushels of Buckwht could be delivered at Alexandria if sent in bags, includg the cost of the Buckwheat—the bags—commission on purchasing—freight...
21Tobias Lear to John Henry Livingston, 24 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States observing in the Public Papers that a sermon was to be delivered at the Dutch Church in this City for the benefit of a charity school belonging thereto, and not having an opportunity of contributing toward it at that time, he has now directed me to send you the enclosed sum of ten Dollars to be applied to that purpose. With very great respect I am Sir Yr most...
22To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 28 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] December 28, 1789 . “By the direction of the President of the United States, I have the honor to transmit to you all the letters & certificates which have come to his hands from, or relating to, Mr. Samuel Caldwell of Philadelphia upon the subject of his application for an Office under the United States.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See Lear to H, October,...
23To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 5 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
By direction of the President of the United States, I have the honor herewith to transmit to you a letter from the Governor of Virginia, dated December 18th, 1789, enclosing an Act (which is likewise sent you) of the general Assembly of that Commonwealth, passed Novr. 13th. 1789, to convey to the United States in Congress assembled certain Land for the purpose of building a Light House on Cape...
24Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 5 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
By direction of the President of the United States, I have the honor herewith to transmit to you a letter from the Governor of Virginia, dated December 18th, 1789, enclosing an Act (which is likewise sent you) of the general Assembly of that Commonwealth, passed Novr 13th 1789, to convey to the United States in Congress assembled certain Land for the purpose of building a Light House on Cape...
25To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 16 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
By order of the President of the United States, I transmit you the copy of a Report from the Post Master General accompanyed with the Draft of a bill respecting the establishment of the Post Office, to the end that the same may be laid before the house of representatives, with any remarks or suggestions, which may appear to you proper, in relation to the Finances. I have the honor to be with...
26To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 18 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
By order of the President of the United States, I do myself the honor to transmit you a letter from His Excellency Thomas Jefferson The Secretary for Foreign Affairs to the United States, dated at Paris Augt. 27th. 1789.—and likewise the Copy of a letter from Messrs. Wilhem & Jan Willinck, N & J. Van Staphorst & Hubbard to Mr. Jefferson, dated at Amsterdam 13th. Augt. 1789.—both of which the...
27Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 18 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
By order of the President of the United States, I do myself the honor to transmit you a letter from His Excellency Thomas Jefferson The Secretary for Foreign Affairs to the United States, dated at Paris Augt 27th 1789, and likewise the copy of a letter from Messrs Wilhem & Jan Willinck, N. & I. Van Stephorst & Hubbard to Mr Jefferson, dated at Amsterdam 13th Augt 1789 —both of which the...
28To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 24 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In obedience to the commands of the President of the United States, I have the honor to transmit to you a letter from His Excellency Beverley Randolph Governor of Virginia, dated January the 14th 1790, relating to the materials which were placed upon Cape Henry by the States of Virginia and Maryland for the purpose of building a Light House; and likewise the report of General Wood upon the...
29Tobias Lear to James Madison, 7 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to the command of the President of the United States, I have the honor to enclose you a Letter from Peyton Short Esquire resigning his Commission of Collecter of the Port of Louisville in Kentucky, & to request that you will be so good as to consult with Mr Brown, and any other Gentlemen from Virginia who are acquainted with characters in that part of the Country, upon a suitable...
30To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 7 February 1790 (Madison Papers)
In obedience to the command of the President of the United States, I have the honor to enclose you a letter from Peyton Short Esquire resigning his Commission of Collector of the Port of Louisville in Kentuckey, and to request that you will be so good as to consult with Mr. Brown, and any other Gentlemen from Virginia who are acquainted with characters in that part of the Country, upon a...
31To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 11 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] February 11, 1790 . Transmits a list of the persons the President has appointed collectors, naval officers, and surveyors in North Carolina, and the names of those appointed to fill vacancies in other states. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
32Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 14 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favoured with your letters of the 9th and 10th inst. —the latter enclosing the President’s acct as it then stood with you. In reply to your wish to know the President’s birth day, it will be sufficient to observe that it is on the 11th of February Old Style; but the Almanack-makers have generally set it down opposite to the 11th day of the present Style. How far this may go...
33To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 16 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In obedience to the command of the President of the United States, I have the honor to enclose for your information, a letter from M. H. Bird to the President of the United States dated at Charleston S. Ca. 23d January 1790. offering the services of the Houses of Bird, Savage & Bird, and of Mannings & Vaughan to Act as Agents, if such should be wanted in Europe for the purpose of negotiating a...
34Tobias Lear to Gerard Bancker, 20 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of th⟨is⟩ date, accompanying a Sett of the Laws of the St⟨ate⟩ of New York, as lately revised, which you sent for ⟨the use⟩ of the President of the United States, in pursuan⟨ce of⟩ concurrent Resolutions of the Senate & Assembly of ⟨the⟩ State of New York. The Sett of Laws has been delivered to th⟨e President⟩ of the United States, who requests that his...
35To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 25 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] February 25, 1790 . Transmits papers relating to the case of Captain Hammond, a shipmaster imprisoned in St. Jago. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Thomas Hammond, master of the American sloop Brothers . A British frigate seized the Brothers and her crew for allegedly possessing coins salvaged from wrecks near Boa Vista Island, the most eastern of the Cape Verde...
36Tobias Lear to Daniel Grant, 28 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
About 3 or 4 weeks ago I wrote to Philadelphia to know if a good Cook could be had from that City for the family of the President of the United States—I received for answer that a complete one could not be found there at that time, but that it was probable one might be obtained from Baltimore, and Mr Moyston had accordingly written to Baltimore for one who had lately gone thither from Philada....
37Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 5 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letters of the 16th & 23d ultimo. We are furnished with a Carpet for the room which I had described to you; but are therefore no less obliged to you for the trouble you have had in making inquiries respecting it. The President will thank you to make an addition of two hundred bushels to the quantity of Buckwheat you have procured for him. It is probable that it...
38Tobias Lear to William Goddard & James Angell, 6 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to insert the enclosed advertisement in your paper for six weeks successively and charge the same in your annual account with the President of the United States—which account you will be good enough to present whenever it becomes due. I am, Gentlemen, Your most obedient Servant LB , DLC:GW . William Goddard and James Angell (d. 1797) were the publishers of the Maryland...
39To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 29 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] May 29, 1790 . “The President of the United States approves of the … Contracts … submitted to him by the Secretary of the Treasury.…” ALS , RG 26, “Segregated” Lighthouse Records, National Archives; LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See H to Washington, May 28, 1790 .
40Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 3 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
New York, 3 June 1790. “The Cook arrived and entered upon his duty on the 1st of may; he gives us good dinners, and the Steward says he conducts himself well. We are much obliged by your agency in obtaining him.” ALS , PHi : Washington-Biddle Correspondence; copy, in Lear’s writing, ViMtvL ; LB , DLC:GW . For the search for a cook for the presidential household, see Tobias Lear to Daniel...
41To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 21 June [1790] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] June 21 [ 1790 ]. “The President … approves of the enclosed contract for … the Light House on Sandy Hook.” LS , RG 26, “Segregated” Lighthouse Records, National Archives; LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Lear erroneously dated this letter “June 21st. 1789.”
42Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 23 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
By the command of the President of the United States T. Lear has the honor to enclose for Mr Jefferson perusal a Letter from the Count de Estaing to the President which was alluded to by Mr Short in the letter which Mr Jefferson laid before the president at the time when he delivered the above letter from the Ct de Estaing. Likewise two letters a Memorial & a treatise upon establishing a...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 23 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
By the command of the President of the United States T. Lear has the honor to enclose for Mr. Jefferson’s perusal a letter from the Count d’Estaing to the President, which was alluded to by Mr. Short in the letter which Mr. Jefferson laid before the President at the time when he delivered the above letter from the Count d’Estaing, likewise two letters, a memorial, and a treatise upon...
44To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 29 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the United States approves of the proposal, communicated to him on the 26th Inst. by the Secretary of the Treasury, made by James Robinson to the Collector of Charleston in South Carolina, to supply six hundred Gallons of Spermaciti Oil for the use of the Light-house, at two shillings and six pence per Gallon. The President of the United States likewise assents to the removal...
45Enclosure: [Return of the Persons Appointed for the Superintendance of Light-Houses, Beacons, Buoys], [29 June 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Return of the persons appointed by the President of the United States, for the Superintendance of certain Light-houses, Beacons, Buoys and public Piers in the United States. 1790. In the State of Massachusetts. March 10th. Benjamin Lincoln, Boston, Superintendt. of all the Light-houses, Beacons Buoys & public piers in the State of Massachsetts. Do. Thomas Knox, Supert. of the Lighthouse,...
46To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 4 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] July 4, 1790 . Asks that “the dates of the Warrants, which are to be issued for the Superintendants of the Light houses &c … be affixed to the names on the enclosed lists.” Copy, RG 26, “Segregated” Lighthouse Records, National Archives.
47Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 11 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge your favors of the 24th of June and the 4th & 8th of the present month; the former enclosing the Account of coach hire &c. paid by you—and the latter covering Mr Hare’s bill & rect for Porter sent to Mount Vernon. The President will thank you to inform me if plated waiters, suitable for carrying tea round to company, can be had with you—their sizes & cost—There are some...
48To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 13 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] July 13, 1790 . Encloses “the Warrants for the Superintendants of the Lighthouses &c.” LS , RG 26, “Segregated” Lighthouse Records, National Archives; copy, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
49Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 13 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
New York, 13 July 1790. Encloses warrants for the superintendents of lighthouses requested that day by the Treasury Department. LB , DLC:GW . Lear had probably obtained the president’s signatures only that day on the ten commissions that Hamilton intended to forward to the lighthouse superintendents appointed since March 1790, when Hamiltion had explained to them why receipt of their...
50Tobias Lear to Richard Varick, 19 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
In compliance with your request signified in your polite letter, I have the honor to inform you that the President of the United States will have the pleasure to see you tomorrow at 10 O’clock, if that hour should be convenient & agreeable to you. with great Respect I have the honor to be Sir, Your most Obedt Servt ALS , NHi : Richard Varick Papers. Richard Varick (1753–1831) moved from...