1To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 26 February 1796 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Tobias Lear, 26 Feb. 1796 . On 2 March, Lear wrote to GW: “I had the honor to address you under date of the 26th ultimo”; in GW’s letter to Lear of 13 March , he acknowledged receipt of “letters of the 26th Ulto and 2d Instant.”
2To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 8 February 1796 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Tobias Lear, 8 Feb. 1796 . On 10 Feb., Lear wrote to GW: “I had the honor of writing to you on the 8th inst.”
3To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 27 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Once more I refer you to another letter for what has occurred to me on the late distressing event, and I will therefore only say that the contents of your last letters to me shall be shortly attend’d to, and that I am most truly & devotedly your’s ALS , DLC:GW . See Lear to GW, 25 March. Lear is referring to GW’s letters of 13 and 21 March.
4To 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 .
5To 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).
6To 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.”
7To 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...
8To 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...
9To 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...
10To 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...
11To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 29 May 1795 (Washington Papers)
In the postscript of a Letter which I had the honor of writing to you on the 26th instant, I acknowledged the receipt of your respected favor of the 25th (which P.S. was added, however, on the evening of the 27th when your letter got to hand and the mail was just closing) in which I noted the sum of money & order on the Bank of Alexa. enclosed in that letter; but on recurring to the order, I...
12To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 30 January 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 14th of december, which was directed to me in Richmond, did not find its way to this place till yesterday, which I trust, will account for what must have appeared neglectful on my part, my not having before acknowledged the receipt of it. Upon reflection, I am strongly impressed with the propriety of your declining to write, on the subject of extending the time for opening...
13To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 1 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment been made happy by the receipt of your acceptable & good letters of the 28th ultimo, with their enclosures. The mail being on the point of closing will only allow me at this time to acknowledge the receipt of your favors, and express the grateful sense which I have of your continued kindness towards me. The offer which you have the goodness to make of appointing me one of...
14To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 3 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
The weather has prevented the meeting of a sufficient number of the Potomak Company to do business today, they have therefore adjourned ’till Thursday, when it is expected that numbers will come in. If it should be convenient for you to attend I think your presence will be of great service; but should that not be the case, it would be well to send a power to vote in behalf of the shares you...
15To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 19 June 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your respected favor of the 15th instant, and shall, agreeably to your wishes, invest the balance in my hands in the Stock of Alexandria Bank as soon as a proper opportunity of doing it shall offer. I have been expecting a fall; but as the time of dividend draws so near I doubt whether they will be much below the principal & 4½ pr Cent Interest— and if they are to...
16To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 7 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment returned from Annapolis, and had the happiness to meet your aceptable & respectable favors of the 30th of Novr and the 2d of Decr with their enclosures. As it is within a few hours of the closing of the mail it is not in my power to give a decided answer to Mr Myers’ proposition for superintending the works of the Potomac Company; but before the next mail, I will see the...
17To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 18 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you last, the Potomac bill has passed the House of Representatives of this State by a majority of ten, and there was no doubt of its passing the Senate. But until this is known the directors cannot act in any engagements. I saw Mr Charles Lee yesterday, who gave encouragement that the application to the legislature of Virginia would be successful as it was...
18To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 5 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
A few weeks ago Mr William Bailey of this neighbourhood wished me to inform him, if I could, whether you had disposed of your lands on the Great & Little Kanawas & on the Ohio between these two Rivers, which he understood you were inclined to part with; and if you had not, he wished to know what you would be willing to take for them, as he and some others had it in contemplation to obtain...
19To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
By the Post of yesterday I had the honor to receive your favor of the 10th instant, in which was enclosed a letter for Major Jackson, to whom I delivered it. The enclosed papers will give the accounts which have been received by the late arrivals from Europe. Peace seems to be the predominant feature in these accts. And there do not appear any strong marks of a disposition to invade France,...
20To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 15 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that we arrivd here last evening after a pleasant journey from Phila. and shall sail for Providence in about an hour. I have thought it best, & upon the whole most œconomical to take a water carriage to Providence. The principal object in troubling you with a letter at this time is to mention that while I was on board the Packet this morning engaging a passage I...
21To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 22 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
It is with peculiar pleasure that I inform you of my having once more arrived in this comparatively happy Country. I sailed from Liverpool on the 11th of June and reached this place today. I have brought with me a valuable cargo of goods—and have made my arrangements of business to my Satisfaction in England, Scotland & Holland. I have returned home without visiting other Countries, because I...
22To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 20 May 1795 (Washington Papers)
Shares may at this moment be bought in Alexandria Bank at par—and those of the Bank of Columbia at one per Cent under par. The Shares of the Alexandria Bank are 200 dollars each— and a dividend, of 6 Months interest at the rate of 9 or 10 per Cent per Annum will take place in July; but the present want of Cash operates to keep the shares down altho’ the period of receiving the interest is so...
23To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 10 February 1796 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you on the 8th inst. Since which I have been favored with a letter from Colo. Pickering, covering the agreement of the prop[r]ietors of the land at the junction of the Potomac & Shanandoah, and requesting my agency to complete the purchase for the United States, if it can now be done. Tomorrow I set off for that quarter, and shall endeavor to close the business...
24To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 23 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that I am thus far on my return from New Hampshire to Philadelphia. I have been detained at Portsmouth a fortnight longer than I expected to have been, in order to settle some matters that were interesting to me. I shall leave this place tomorrow and proceed to Philadelphia at the rate of about 30 or 35 miles per day. I have neglected no opportunity of obtaining...
25To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 23 February 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that I yesterday closed the bargain, on account of the United States, for the two tracts of land at the junction of the Rivers Potomac and Shanandoah, for the sums which the proprieters proposed to sell them last fall, and with some circumstances respecting the Reservations on the ferry tract, more advantageous to the public than were then proposed. I set off...
26To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 13 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
The desire which Mrs Washington had the goodness to express to know how my little boy got through his journey, has given her the trouble of the inclosed letter, which You will be so kind as to do me the favor to give to her. I arrived here this morning with my young companion in good health, we met with no accident of any kind on the road. Of rain we had only a sprinkling one day, and such...
27To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 24 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letters have been this moment brought to me by the Post Master, who informs thus they have just arrived at the Office in the Western Mail. As they may contain important intelligence I delay not a moment to forward them. Mrs Washington and the family are well. Nothing particular has transpired since your departure. I have the honor to be, with the highest respect & most sincere...
28To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 6 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
Nothing of importance has occurred since I had the honor to write to You on Sunday last. We shall tomorrow finish loading the vessel which I have taken to carry the furniture round to Philadelphia. Altho’ she is very capacious, and stows as much as any Vessel of her burthen (80 tons;) Yet I find we shall have many things left which must go under deck; and I have according engaged a freight for...
29To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 21 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Desireous, on every account, to have the business relative to the Arsenal on this River closed, it was my intention to have set off tomorrow morning for Philadelphia, in order to ensure its completion on the first day of April, as that is the day fixed for the public to take possession of the premises; but last evening my dear Fanny was violently attacked by ⟨a pleuretic⟩ complaint, which...
30To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 23 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the Directors of the Potomac Company held yesterday, I was requested by the Board to beg your acceptance of their best thanks for the communications which you have had the goodness to make respecting Mr Myres, and to express their wish that the services of that Gentleman may be obtained to superintend the Works on this River. If Mr Myres be yet free to engage, the Directors...
31To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 29 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a paper containing some seeds and a note from Mr Powel, which were sent here the evening after your departure. I called upon General Knox yesterday in order to communicate to him your observations and wishes respecting several matters mentioned in Genl Wilkinson’s letters. I found the General much better than he had been for some days past; but he said he was not...
32To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 30 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received your kind & acceptable favor of the 27th instant; and at the same time a letter from the Secretary of War on the subject of the Arsenal. It contains but a few lines, informing me that he shall put the papers, which I transmitted last month, into the hands of the Attorney General, to enable him to draw the deeds, and that he will write me more particularly in a short...
33To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 14 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to my intention expressed in the letter which I had the honor to write to you on the 10th Inst. I left New York on Tuesday and reached this City yesterday. Neither of the vessels with the furniture and Servants have arrived; but I am in hourly expectation of seeing the one which sailed on Saturday. That which sailed on monday will not probably be in till the last of the week. The...
34To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 5 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter from Mr G. Morris, was yesterday put into my hands by Mr R. Morris, having come under cover to him. I was yesterday asked by the Vice-Presidt if it was true that information had been received of Count Andriani’s having written things to Europe unfavourable to and disrespectful of this Country. I told him that such information had been received—repeating the purport of that...
35To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 23 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
All I can do at this time is to acknowledge the receipt of your respected favor of the 21st instant, with its enclosures. The situation of Mrs Lear is such at present as to occupy my mind & my attention. To the within letter I refer for particulars, and trust to your goodness to excuse the brevity of this; assuring that I shall take the first moment in my power to attend to the matters...
36To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 22 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that a Ship arrived here last evening from London after a passage of 36 days from Torbay. By her intelligence is received of the dispute between G. Britain and Spain being finally accommodated. Another Vessel arrived here at the same time from Lisbon in 35 days, and brings the same accounts. I have nothing to add since my letter of the 20th Inst: but the best...
37To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 27 April 1795 (Washington Papers)
Once more, my dear Sir, I have taken the liberty to intrude upon you in this way, trusting that your goodness will not take it amiss. I propose setting out on my journey homewards in a few days; but it will probably be about the middle of may before I reach the Potomac, as I shall have occasion to make several stops on the Road. My business, as well as inclination, has led me to mix much with...
38To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 31 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor to write to you on the 27th Instant, nothing of a public nature, worthy notice, has come to my knowledge. I have heard nothing yet from Mr Fraunces, and his son can give me no information relative to his coming. However, no inconvenience is felt at this time from the want of him; for as no large entertainments are now made, such arrangements are taken as render the...
39To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 6 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
Captn Myers, who arrived here last week, put into my hands your highly respected favor of the 25 ultimo; and I have now the pleasure to inform you that Captn Myers has been engaged by the Directors of the Potomac Company for one year, as Engineer & Superintendent of their works. The Directors being unacquainted with Captn Myers’ fitness for the business he has undertaken, further than his...
40To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 10 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter of the 5th I have been honored with your favors of the 3d & 6th of the present month, with their enclosures. In Colo. Cannon’s letter to you there appear’d (as you apprehended) an idea that he conceived himself authorized to let your lands on the Ohio and Kanawa; but he does not express an intention of doing anything respecting them until he shall have seen you, which he...
41To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 21 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to you this morning, I have been making inquiries respecting Blankets, and find that Messrs Sitgreaves have the largest quanty—the best assortment—and the lowest prices that are to be found. I enclose a list of their prices & qualities in order that you may, if you think proper, point out the kind most suitable for your purpose—and likewise have the prices...
42To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 12 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
Having had the honor of writing to you very fully by the Ship Delaware, Capt. Truxon (by whom I sent the watch for Mrs Washington) —and a few days ago by the Ship Peggy of George Town, I shall at present take up no more of your precious time than to inform you that I have put on board the latter ship 5000 white thorn plants for you—and a packet containing Reports made to the Board of...
43To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 10 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment returned from Berkley, and as business will call me to Philadelphia in the course of next week I shall have the pleasure of communicating to you fully every thing relative to the subject of the Arsenal land &c. At present I have only time to say, that Rutherford’s deed has not yet come to hand, and that Wager’s is in the office to be recorded at the Court of this month. The...
44To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 13 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
Knowing the deep interest which you take in the progress of the Potomac Navigation, as an object of great public utility, I am led at this time, to intrude on your busy moments when I should not do it from any motives of personal advantage or gratification. Mr Weston has not yet made his appearance here, as from various quarters we were led to expect he would have done early in the present...
45To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 9 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to address you on the 7th inst. acknowledging the receipt of your respected favors of the 30th of Novr & 2d inst. The Assembly of this State have postponed the decision on the Potomac business ’till friday the 11th inst. ’till which the Directors do not feel themselves authorized to make any engagements on account of the Company, as the funds from the first subscription are...
46To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 9 June 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your respected & acceptable favor of the 4th instant. The balance in my hands, as noted in the account current which I had the honor to transmit to you on the 3d, shall be appropriated as you desire. I should prefer vesting it in Shares of the Alexandria Bank as the property is equally as good as that in the Bank of Columbia, and a dividend is to take place...
47To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 21 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that the Legislature of this State has taken 40 Shares in the Potomac Company, and that the other 60 are subscribed by individuals, with a condition to relinquish them or so many of them as the State of Virginia may agree to take. This puts us upon secure ground, and ensures the completion of the navigation of the River and its principle branches. Tomorrow...
48To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 23 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor last evening to receive your commands, through Major Jackson, to deliver the letter for Colo. Clandenen to General St Clair, unless Genl Knox thought Genl Sevier a more direct conveyance or knew of a better, and in obedience thereto I made the inquiry of Genl Knox, who thought Genl St Clair would be most likely to give the letter a direct & speedy conveyance; I therefore...
49To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 3 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose such letters and papers as have come to hand since my last. The British Packet arrived here last evening; but brings no decided accounts as to the War between Great Britain and Spain. She left Falmouth on the 12th of July, at which time the English fleet was lying in Torbay. This contradicts a report in the Philadelphia and Alexandria papers of an engagement having...
50To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 4–5 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to the directions given in your letter of the 27th of October, I have endeavoured to get the rent of the house in which you are to reside fixed with the Committee; but my endeavours have been ineffectual. The footing upon which they have placed the matter with Mr Morris puts it out of their power to ascertain the rent at present. I am informed by Mr Mires Fisher, one of the most...