From George Washington to the Earl of Buchan, 8 November 1793
To the Earl of Buchan
German Town in the State of Pennsyla
8th Novr 1793
My Lord,
Mr Lear, The Gentleman who will have the honr of putting this letter into your hands, I can venture, & therefore shall take the liberty, to introduce as worthy of your Lordships civilities. He has lived seven or eight yrs in my family as my private Secretary, and possesses a large share of my esteem & friendship. Commercial pursuits have taken him to Europe & a desire to visit some of the Manufacturing towns in Scotland carries him first to that Country. A wish while there to pay his respects to Your Lordship, with whom he knows I have been in corrispondence, must be my apology for recommending him to your notice especially as it will afford me a fresh occasion to assure you of the high esteem & respect with which I have the honor to be Your Lordships Most Obedt & Very Hble Serv⟨t⟩
Go: Washingt⟨on⟩
ADfS, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW; Copy, MHi: Miscellaneous Collection.
The ALS of this letter was offered for sale by Sotheby’s (London), English Literature and History: Comprising Printed Books, Autograph Letters and Manuscripts, 15 Dec. 1988, Lot 185. The catalog states that Buchan wrote on the address panel: “I happened to be at some little distance from home when Mr. Lear arrived at Dryburgh Abbey, & such were the Allarmist feelings of the Country created by the Mountbankism of Pitt he was strictly examined by my Clerk & forced to show the Presidents handwriting before he was admitted to remain!” For Lear’s account of his reception by Buchan, see his letter to GW of 26–30 Jan. 1794.