51To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 25 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Afflicted as I am, I have thought it my duty to write the enclosed, which will communicate an event that must be distressing to you, my dear friend, as well as to myself. The partner of my life is no more! And I am too much distressd at this moment to add more than to assure you that tho my life now is not worth preserving, yet as it is, it is most sincerely & devotedly your’s ALS , DLC:GW .
52To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 26 October 1795 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Tobias Lear, 26 Oct. 1795 . In Timothy Pickering’s letter to Lear of 28 Jan. 1796, he referred to “your letter to the President of the 26th of October” ( MHi : Pickering Papers).
53To 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...
54To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, [6 September 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, September 6, 1791. ] Transmits Isaac Holmes’s commission “appointing him collector of Charleston in South Carolina.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
55To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 7 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] July 7, 1791 . “By the Presidents command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of the Treasury a letter from Capt. Cochran of Charleston (S. C.) respecting the building of a cutter at that place.…” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Robert Cochran had been appointed master of the revenue cutter for South Carolina.
56To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 14 March 1796 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Tobias Lear, 14 March 1796. On 21 March, GW wrote Lear: “Your letter of the 14th Instant did not get to my hands before Saturday.”
57To 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,...
58To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 28 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] August 28, 1790 . States that the President has approved the Cape Henlopen lighthouse keeper’s contract. LS , RG 26, “Segregated” Lighthouse Records, National Archives; LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress; copy, RG 26, Lighthouse Deeds and Contracts, National Archives. This letter is in reply to H to George Washington, August 26, 1790 .
59To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 3 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] March 3, 1791 . Encloses a letter to the President “from the Senators … of Rhode Island recommending Mr. Thompson as a proper person for Supervisor of excise in that District.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Joseph Stanton and Theodore Foster to George Washington, March 3, 1791 ( LS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress). Ebenezer Thompson, naval...
60To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 20 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of State, the enclosed letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to inform the Secretary that the President approves the same. The President was engaged with the Secretary of War when the enclosed was put into his hands which prevented him from looking at it ‘till this moment. 2 o’clock RC (...
61To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 9 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] July 9, 1791 . “… the President has received a letter from Mr. Rue, who was appointed second mate of the revenue Cutter on the Delaware station, declining his appointment & returning his commission.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Benjamin Rue was a Philadelphia sea captain.
62To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 7 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, January 7, 1791. Transmits “a Warrant appointing Joseph Greenleaf Keeper of the Light house at Portland in the District of Maine.” ALS , RG 26, “Segregated” Lighthouse Records, National Archives; LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress
63To 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.
64To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 27 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, May 27, 1791. Encloses “two commissions for the inspectors of Surveys No. 4 and 5 in the District of North Carolina.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
65Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 13 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to inform the Secretary of the Treasury that the President has appointed William Lewis to be keeper of the Light-house on Cape Henry, with a salary of four hundred Dollars per annum. The President does not conceive that the circumstance of mister Cormicks being employed to oversee the building of the Lighthouse, tho’ in his favor, as...
66To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 20 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor to write to you on the 17th Inst. I have received a letter from Mr Morris, in which he thinks it best that the furniture should not be removed sooner than the first of next month. This is about the time I had fixed upon for our departure from this place; and everything will then be in perfect readiness for shipping. It is a work of more time than I had any idea of, to...
67To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 12 August 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to inform The Secretary of the Treasury, that as Mr. Short’s mission to Madrid will probably cause much delay in negotiating the intended additional loan, if instructions on this subject should be sent to him to transact the business—the President thinks, with you, that it would be best to address the instructions for this business immediately...
68Tobias 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...
69To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 8 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Accept my grateful acknowledgements and best thanks for your kind letter of the 5th. instant; which, together with the minutes of a Route and the letters enclosed, came to my hands Yesterday. As a sincere friend, and truly wishing your personal happiness, I cannot but be pleased with your determination to retire from your public station; because I know that a mind like your’s can find more...
70To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 24 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment been honored with your respected favor of the 21st instant—and shall, as soon as possible, obtain information on the several points therein mentioned, which shall be immediately communicated to you. The law for extending the time for opening the navigation of the Potomac has been passed in this State as well as Virginia. I take the liberty to enclose a packet for Mr...
71Tobias Lear to Samuel Hanson, [21 April 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
I am directed by the President [of the U. S.] to acknowlege the receipt of your letter of the 10th of March and to give you the following answer. The law appears to contemplate the surveyor where there is one at a Port, as the person who is ordinarily to perform the service of measuring Vessels, and it may be inferred that the exercise of the power given to the Collector to appoint persons for...
72To 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...
73To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 15 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
By the Presidents command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of the Treasury a letter from Mr. Governr. Morris to the president respecting the Debt of the United States in France; which the President requests the Secretary to take into consideration, and to draft such an answer as will be proper for the President to give to Mr. Morris on this subject. LC , George Washington...
74Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 14 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of State the enclosed letters & papers from the Judge of the District of Rhode Island relating to the Ship Catharine. After the Secretary shall have considerd the enclosed documents the President wishes his opinion of the measures which should be taken on the subject. AL , DLC : Jefferson Papers. Jefferson’s docket...
75Tobias 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...
76Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 11 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of War the Speeches to the Chiefs of the Six Nations and to the hostile Indians which have been submitted to the President, and to inform the Secretary that their contents embrace the President’s ideas on that subject. The President observes that the Secretary will write to General Wayne respecting Corn Planter, and to...
77To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 17 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States requests that the Secretary of State will write to the Governor of New York, by the post of tomorrow, for authenticated Copies, under Seal, of the several treaties between the Six nations and the Governors of New York from the Year 1683; and especially those with Colo. Dongan. They were preserved under the old Government of New York, in the Office of the...
78To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 10 October 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I shall sail from this place for London early in November, and if before that time you can find it convenient to give me the letters which you had the goodness to promise I shall esteem it a mark of peculiar favor. I shall go from London to Amsterdam and letters to our Bankers or other respectable Characters in the latter place might greatly facilitate my business, by shewing them that I am...
79To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, with Jefferson’s Note, 28 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President requests the Secretary of State to call upon him this morning as he goes to the War Office so as to give him about 10 or 15 minutes conversation. [ Note by TJ: ] This was to consult about the premature nomination of Judge Patterson. RC ( DLC ); addressed: “The Secretary of State”; with note by TJ at foot of text; endorsed by TJ as received 28 Feb. 1793. On 16 Jan. 1793 Thomas...
80To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 23 January 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
By the President’s direction T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of the Treasury a Copy of the Resolution of the House of representatives relative to the Loans made in Holland; with which the President requests the Secretary to comply as soon as he conveniently can. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The enclosed resolution, passed by the House of...
81To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 15 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
By the President’s command T Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of the treasury the proposals which have this day been submitted to the President, for rebuilding the lanthorn story & wooden work of the Light House in South Carolina which has lately been consumed by fire, and likewise proposals for plastering the same —All of which have been approved by the President of the United...
82To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 19 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
Could I beleive, for a moment, that you thought my Opinions were grounded on interested motives, or influenced by party views, I should blush to appear before you; but having long known the liberality of your mind, I have never hesitated to declare my sentiments to you, without reserve, on such points as occasionally occurred between us; and I am pleased to think that you do not esteem me less...
83Tobias Lear to Timothy Pickering, 3 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
I enclose the translation of the letter which was transmitted to the Secretary of War by the Governor of New York—The translation was made yesterday in great haste, and if it should not be sufficiently clear, referrence had better be had to the original, in the possession of the Secy of War. The President wishes, in your conversation with Colo. Louis, that you would learn the precise time of...
84To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 14 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
I am yet without information as to the result of the potomac business in the legislature of this State. Of course the board can come to no determination respecting Mr Myres. I have conversed with the Directors on the subject of that Gentleman’s services and it appears to be the universal wish to have him here, if he shall be disengaged when we feel able, from funds, to make engagemts. I have...
85To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 31 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of State, the draughts and Copies of letters which he sent to the President this day—And to inform the Secretary, that the President is so much indisposed that he does not think he shall be able to meet the Gentlemen at his House tomorrow (the President having had a high fever upon him for 2 or 3 days past, and it...
86To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 11 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
T. Lear is ordered by the President of the U.S. to transmit to the Secretary of State a letter and its enclosures, together with a draft of the Survey of the federal District, which he has received from the Commissioners. The President requests that the Secretary will take this matter into consideration and report to the President his opinion whether it should be laid before Congress or not....
87Tobias Lear to the Cabinet, 24 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States requests the attendance of the Secretary of State, at nine O’clock tomorrow morning , at the President’s House, on the subject of the Note sent to the Secretary from the President, on the 17th Inst. and that the Secretary will bring with him such remarks as he may have committed to writing in pursuance of said Note. At the same time the President will lay...
88To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 20 December 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
By the President’s command, T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of State the letter from the Treasurer of Virginia, which has been submitted to him—and to request that the Secretary would inform the President where he can obtain a copy of the new Impression of the Federal City . The President wishes to know if it would not be adviseable, in the Secretary’s Opinion, to have a...
89Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 13 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
The President sends to the Secretary of State the Counter part of An Agreement with the Bank of the U.S. for 800,000 dollars, to have the ratification prepared in the usual way for the President’s signature. AL , DLC : Jefferson Papers. Jefferson’s docket reads “Washington President June 13. 93. rec’d June 13.” The enclosure was an agreement of 31 May 1793 between Alexander Hamilton and the...
90Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 1 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secy of war a letter from Mr Andw Ellicott, to the President, proposing that Mr Joseph Ellicott should proceed immediately to Georgia to explore the head of the Oconee River preparatory to Mr Andw Ellicott’s executing his business of running the line between the territory of the Creeks & the U.S. Should the Secretary of war...
91Tobias 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...
92Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 9 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 9 July 1791. “The President has received a letter from Mr Rue, who was appointed second Mate of the revenue Cutter on the Delaware station, declining his appointment & returning his commission.” LB , DLC:GW . The letter of resignation from Benjamin Rue to GW has not been found but must have been written between 28 June and this date. Tench Coxe wrote to Tobias Lear on 28 June...
93To 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...
94To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 12 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
By the President’s Command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of State the Report of the Proceedings in the Executive Departmt. of Governmt. in the Territory of the U.S. North West of the Ohio, for six months, ending the 30th. of June last—which the President wishes the Secretary to examine at his leisure and report to him anything that may be found therein requiring the Agency...
95To 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...
96To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 17 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of State the enclosed letters relative to appointing a Counsul for the United States to reside in India; and to request, that, if the Secretary on considering the subject sees no objection to such appointment, he would prepare a message to the Senate therefor. RC ( DLC ); inadvertently endorsed by TJ as received 15...
97Tobias Lear to William Allum and William Talbot, 17 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States has this day received your letter of the 19th ultimo with the pamphlet accompanying it; for your politeness in sending of which to him he directs me ⟨to⟩ beg your acceptance of his best thanks. I have the honor to be Gentlemen, very respectfully Your most Obet Ser. ADfS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DLC:GW . The text in angle brackets is from the...
98Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 31 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of State, letters from Mr Seagrove, that the Secretary may take extracts therefrom for the purpose mentioned this day. The President wishes to know if the Copies of Mr Hammond’s letter which have been sent to the President were intended to be put into the hands of the Secretary of War to be transmitted by him to Mr...
99Tobias Lear to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 3 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
I will thank you to send me, from time to time, two copies of such bills as may be printed by order of the Senate, previous to their passing into laws; and likewise two copies of your Journals as they are printed. I am induced to make this request from a wish which the President of the United States often expresses to see the bills in this stage. If there are any bills of this description now...
100To 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...