61To 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...
62To 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...
63Enclosure: [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,...
64To 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.
65Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 6 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Mr Heineken, Consul from the United Netherlands called on me last evening to request I would ask you if it would be convenient & proper for him to wait on the president, at any time and at what hour tomorrow, to introduce some gentlemen lately arrived & recommended to him from Holland one of whom is a gentleman of fortune, & bein in public offices of respectability there as they leave town on...
66Franco Petrus Van Berckel to Tobias Lear, 6 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Coming to Town last Evening in my Phaeton I overtook one of the Presidents Carriages, which as I was about to pass (not Conceiving any impropriety in doing so) the Presidents Postilion drove his horses intentionaly across the road, so as to prevent my passing, altho’ he might have facilitated it, without any inconvenience to himself; & where by taking a different road from the other Carriages,...
67Tobias 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...
68To 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.
69Tobias 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...
70Roger Alden to Tobias Lear, 14 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
New York, 14 July 1790. In response to Tobias Lear’s request for copies of state acts ceding lighthouses and related property to the federal government, sends a copy (not found) of an exemplified New York act, the only one transmitted to the Department of State since the receipt of those of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, which have already been forwarded to the president. ALS , DNA : RG 59,...
71Tobias 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...
72Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 22 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
New York, 22 July 1790. Encloses a draft on the Bank of North America for $200 to be credited to GW’s account. ALS , PHi : Washington-Biddle Correspondence; ADfS , ViMtvL ; LB , DLC:GW . Biddle acknowledged receipt of the bank check on 26 July 1790 ( PHi : Clement Biddle Letter Book).
73John Fenno to Tobias Lear, 24 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
[New York] 24 July 1790. Sends two bound volumes of the Gazette of the United States after a delay of two months because of problems at the bindery and notes that one volume is a complimentary copy for GW’s library and the other is to replace issues earlier loaned by Lear. ALS , DLC:GW . John Fenno established the semiweekly Gazette of the United States in April 1789 at the seat of the new...
74Tobias Lear to Captain Hollis, 26 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
New York, 26 July 1790. Requests delivery to the bearer, Francis Parman, of the three mares that GW sent on 1 June to be put to John Jay’s horse in Bedford Town, Westchester County, N.Y., and asks that an account of the cost for their care and arrangements for its payment also be transmitted through Parman. LB , DLC:GW . The name Hollis does not appear in the Federal Census of 1790 for Bedford...
75To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 4 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] August 4, 1790 . Encloses commissions for persons appointed to the customs service in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
76Tobias Lear to Sarah Nestor, 9 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States of America has lately received a Petition from you, praying his assistance in gaining some information relative to your Son Richard Nestor who came over to this Country some years ago. In consequence of which he ordered one of the Gentlemen of his family to make the desired inquiry of a Gentleman belonging to Portsmouth in Virginia, who has been so good as to...
77Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 17 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
I acknowledge the rect of your favor of the 11th Inst.—and will thank you to get & deliver to Mr Lewis, the Presidents Nephew who will have the pleasure to deliver this, a German & English Dictionary for the Presidents German Gardner —and charge the same to the President’s Acct. The President went on Saturday to R. Island —he will return in about 8 days & I think will leave this for Virginia...
78“John A. Dingwell” to Henry Knox or Tobias Lear, 17 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
In The incloased I Send you a letter I did myself the honour to write to the President yesterday in answer to one he honoured me with[.] in mine to him I have incloased a peaper that it or one to the Same purport must be Signed before I make the least discovery as in the peapers I Can lay before him there is that that might indanger the lives of Gentlemen I wou’d Sooner die then hurt who is...
79Tobias Lear to “John A. Dingwell”, 18 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
The letter which you addressed to General Knox and myself, enclosing one for the President, came to hand this morning; and as the President is not expected to return from Rhode Island in less than 6 or 8 days from this time, we have, so far as is in our power, complied with your wishes, as you will see by the enclosed engagement. I will now add, that Colo. McGillivary and the Indians leave...
80Memorandum from Tobias Lear, 18 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
On Wednesday at 3 O’clock P.M. the person who had written several letters under the signature of Jno. A. Dingwell, came to the House of the President & had an interview with Genl Knox & T. Lear with whom he left the enclosed papers; and promised to get copies of such others as he could come at, & likewise give all the verbal information that he could obtain—Jno. A. Dingwell’s real name is...
81To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 23 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] August 23, 1790 . Transmits “three Commissions [of customs officials] which have received the signature of the President.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
82To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 24 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] August 24, 1790 . States that the President has approved the contract for repairs on the Cape Henlopen lighthouse. LS , RG 26, “Segregated” Lighthouse Records, National Archives; LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
83To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 26 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In obedience to the command of the President of the United states, I have the honor to inform you that he approves of the enclosed Drafts of a Power and Instructions which have been submitted to him, respecting a Loan of twelve million of Dollars; but thinks an addition to the instructions given to the Agent, to the following effect might be proper, for reasons which he will assign to you,...
84To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 28 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
T. Lear has the honor respectfully to observe to the Secretary of the Treasury in reply to a request from the naval officer of the District of New York which was this day submitted to the President of the united States, that altho’ it is contrary to the general sentiment and wish of the President that any officers under the general government and particularly one of such importance as the...
85To 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 .
86Authorization for Tobias Lear, 30 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Whereas it may be necessary, during my absence from the Seat of Government, to pay certain monies and accounts out of the fund of ten thousand Dollars appropriated to the discharge of Contingent Expenses of Government, by a law passed on the 26th day of March 1790; I therefore do authorize Tobias Lear, my Secretary, to direct such payments to be made in my name, out of said fund, as may come...
87To 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...
88From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 5 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
After a pleasant Journey we arrived in this City about 2 O clock on thursday last. Tomorrow we proceed (if Mrs Washingtons health, for she has been much indisposed since she came here) towards Mount Vernon. The House of Mr R. Morris had, previous to my arrival, been taken by the Corporation for my residence. It is the best they could get. It is, I believe, the best single House in the City;...
89Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, Tobias Lear, Alexander Macomb, Dominick Lynch, John Watts, and Samuel Bard to Patrick … (Hamilton Papers)
As the removal of the residence of Congress from this city will necessarily dissolve our association for the education of our children under your care, and as those of us who remain, do not see a probability of immediately filling up our former number, we take this method of unitedly expressing the entire confidence we have in your talents, and our approbation of your method of tuition. We...
90From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 9 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to the information given in my last, I left Philadelphia on Monday and arrived here yesterday afternoon. To day I rest. To morrow I proceed, and hope to arrive safe at Mount Vernon on Saturday, after taking dinner at Abingdon, on our way. In order that you may not be too fast or too slow in your removal to Philadelphia, it might be well to open a correspondence with Mr. Morris,...
91To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 12 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 5th instant; and am happy to find by accounts of your departure from Philadelphia, that Mrs Washington’s indisposition was not such as to retard your journey, which you had some apprehensions of when you wrote. As the weather for the week past has been pleasant, I trust the wishes of your friends have been answered in your having had an agreeable...
92From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 17 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
Having received no letter from you since the one dated the 3d instant, I have nothing to reply to. The motive for writing to you at this time, is, that upon unpacking the china ornaments which accompanied the Mirrors for the Tables; it was found (notwithstanding they were in Bran) that many of the delicate & tender parts were broken; occasioned I believe by the Bran not being put in & settled...
93To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 17 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 9 Inst. from Baltimore; and in consequence of your suggestion I have written to Mr Morris, requesting him to inform me at what time the house would be ready to receive the furniture. By the Post of last evening I received a letter from Colo. Biddle in which he says one of the Committee had informed him that the house would not be ready before the...
94From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 20 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Servant who carried my letter of the 17th to the Post Office in Alexandria returned with yours of the 12th which shall be the subject for this reply. Whatever Ideas, or remarks may have been excited by my going into Mr Morris’s House I know not; but this I am sure of, that to do it was farthest from my expectations. The Corperation of the City (by whom it was engaged) made attempts, it...
95To 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...
96To 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...
97To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 26 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with Your letters of the 17th & 20th of the present month. To such parts of which as have not been anticipated by my letter of the 17th, I shall now reply. The Table Images had been packed up some days before your letter of the 17th came to hand; but precisely in the mode which you there recommended—viz. each Image in a separate box made amply large, with bran put in...
98From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 27 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you (the date I do not recollect, keeping no copies of my letters to you) I have received yours of the 17th and 20th instant, & shall answer such parts of them as require it. I am glad to find that the House, according to Mr Morris’s notification to you, will be ready about the time you had made arrangements for the removal of my furniture—the mode of doing which, is, I am...
99Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 3 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your letter of the 27th Ultimo and this morning Captain Albertson handed me your favor of the 23d. One hundred and sixty dollars is the lowest Captain Alberson will take for his vessels; and this exclusive of the Cabin, which he says was never comprehended in his conversation with you; and that it is always considered as seperate from the vessel when a vessel is...
100From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 3 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 22d Ulto came safe. I wish the information given by Mr Danl Parker to Doctr Craigee may prove true —No mention of such event is in Morris’s letter to me; but the date is prior to that of Mr Parker’s by Six days. The Declaration & Counter-declaration of the Ministers of Britain & Spain are published with the communication thereof to the Lord Mayor of London; and yet, it...
101To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 3 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor yesterday to receive your letter of the 27 of September with the other letters which you were so good as to inclose for me. The Vessel which is to take the furniture on board arrived this morning. The Owner has come in her; and as my letter to Colo. Biddle requesting him to make a written agreement with the owner did not get to hand before the vessel saild from Philadelphia...
102To 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...
103From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 10 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 26th and 30th of the last, & 3d of the present month, have come duly to hand. Without entering into the details, I can assure you that I am perfectly satisfied with the steps you have taken respecting the Vessel which is to bring the furniture & Servants to Philadelphia —With your agreements with Mr Macomb, & whatever you shall do with the Houses I was compelled to build,...
104To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 10 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your letter of the 3d inst.—and, agreeably to the intimation therein given, shall not fail to communicate such interesting matters as may come to my knowledge, and are not contained in the news-papers. When I get to Philadelphia I shall make it a particular business to gain the information you request respecting Schools. The College, under the circumstances, and...
105To 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...
106To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 17 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
It is not in my power fully to express the pleasing satisfaction which I felt upon perusing your kind favor of the 10th Inst. with which I have been duly honored, to find that the steps which I had taken since your departure from New York meet with your approbation. It is a reward I shall ever prize above all others—and one that it shall always be my study to obtain. Since I had the honor to...
107To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 24 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to you on the 17th Instant, we have got all the furniture &ca up to the house; and it is with great satisfaction I can inform you that, sofar as it has been examined, we find it safe and in as good order as when it left New York. The Images for the table, of which I was more apprehensive than of anything else, have not received the smallest injury—they are...
108From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 27 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
On Sunday last I returned from a twelve days excursion up the Potowmack & found your letters of the 6th & 10th from New York, and 14th & 17th from Philadelphia. I am very glad to hear that you are all arrived at the latter place, safe—and the furniture, as you conceive, in good order. It was very right to give Johns wife the same priviledge that was allowed to others, and Mr & Mrs Hyde’s...
109To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 28 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed paper of this date will give a full account of the present state of the College in this City. It was the expectation of this, which I had been informed was about to be published, that prevented my entering so fully into the subject in former letters as I should otherwise have done. To this I will add, that, so far as I have been able to learn, the abilities and characters of the...
110From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [29 October 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The bearer John Wood shaved and dressed me in New York. He has taken it into his head to try his fortune here. I have found him sober and punctual & he has done my business to my satisfaction. He desires to have the honor of dealing with the heads & Chins of some of your family and I give him this line, at his request, to make him known to you. Yrs. with great regard ALS , Mr. Stephen Decatur,...