To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 May 1786
From Benjamin Lincoln
Boston [May] 3d 1786
My dear General
I was yesterday honored with the receipt of your Excellencys favor of the 16th Ulto.1
It is probable that Mr Lear will be with you by the first of June I expect him from Portsmouth New Hampshire in about six days he will soon after commence his journey for Virginia I hope & trust your Excellency will find him a Gentleman of an amiable character. With real esteem & affection I have the honor of being Your Excellencys most Obedient Servant
B: Lincoln
ALS, NN: Emmet Collection. Lincoln clearly dates this letter “March 3d,” but it certainly was not written before Lincoln received GW’s letter of 10 April. Its contents suggest it was written in early May. See Tobias Lear to GW, 7 May, and Lincoln to GW, 9 May.
1. No letter from GW to Lincoln of 16 April has been found, but Lincoln may well be referring to GW’s letter of 10 April.