51To 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,...
52From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 29 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday’s Post brought me the letters which had arrived in the Commerce, Captn Tuttell; enclosing Invoice and Bill of lading for the long expected Seeds (which by the bye have cost me at least four times as much as I expected). The Invoice and Bill of lading are now sent to you, lest from the want of them, any difficulty or delay should arise on account of the duties and they are accompanied...
53To 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...
54To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 20 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you a bill of Lading for the Articles ship’d on board the Sloop Salem, which was chartered to take your things around to Mount Vernon. She sailed Yesterday with a good wind, and I think the chance is that she will be in the Potomac by this day week. She is entirely filled with your things; and a few are yet remaining, which will be put on board a Vessel that sails...
55To 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...
56To 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...
57To 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...
58From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 5 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
It is my intention, at present, to be in Georgetown to morrow; but as I have been sending to the post-Office in Alexandria every day since friday last, for letters, without having received any from the Officers of Government; and may, by this days mail find such an accumulation of them, as to make it impracticable for me to give them proper attention—prepare answers against Saturday...
59From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 30 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have, at length, received the President’s answer (through the Secretary of War) to my request to be allowed a Secretary, who gives it as his opinion that I have an undoubted right to one, or all of my military family, if I find it convenient, and that their pay &c. will be allowed. And the Secretary having thrown a mass of Papers upon me which I have not looked into (being this moment...
60To 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...
61To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 12 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
I enclose the letter from Colo. F. Deakins which I mentioned to you yesterday. Any Commands you may have for Richmond I shall be happy to take. Altho’ I have not sanguine expectations of pecuniary aid from the Assembly of Virginia; yet a petition to permit the collection of Tolls is an object of too much importance to be neglected at this moment. I therefore feel it a duty incumbent on me to...
62From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 9 January 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 1st instt has been received, but not so soon after the date of it as might have been expected; & not recollecting in time, that this was Post day for the Southward, I shall confine myself to a single point—namely, to inform you, as I have been informed myself, that in a late meeting of the Canal Company of this State, permission was given to Mr Western to visit the Lock...
63To 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...
64To 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...
65From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 22 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am very sorry to learn by Mr. Dalton’s family (now here) that your ague and fever stick by you. If not such as to confine you, your Coming & remaining here while his visit lasts wd. be a kindness to me and company for him; many matters pressing upon me at this time, that cannot, without much inconvenience be postponed, will not suffer me to pay him those attentions I could wish. I am Your...
66From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 12 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 5th instt, and the Receipt for the second payment of the lots I purchased on the Eastern branch, in the Federal City, came duly to hand. You are perfectly at liberty to examine my Presses and Trunks at Mount Vernon for any papers I may have respecting the transactions of the Directors of the Potomack Compa., or any matters & things which may concern the navigation of that...
67To 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...
68To 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...
69From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 6 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
This letter will be put into your hands by Mr Volney—who proposes to visit the Federal City. If you are not acquainted with him personally, I am sure you must have a knowledge of his character—his travels & works; I therefore recommend him to your civilities while he remains in the Federal City. I am always and sincerely Yours ALS , DLC : Tobias Lear Papers. Claypoole’s American Daily...
70From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 4 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
As your letter of the 30th. Ulto. gives me room to expect you here in a few days. I shall do no more than acknowledge the receipt of it, repeat the request contained in a joint letter (written by Mrs. Washington and myself to you) of the 30th. Ulto.—and request, if a vessel from Liverpool called the Commerce, commanded by Capt. Tuttle should have arrived at George Town, that Mr. Pearce may...
71To 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...
72To 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...
73From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 2 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 19th & [ ] Ult. came duly to hand; and I expected ’ere this to have been decisive upon the contents of them; but the case being otherwise, I shall postpone writing fully to you until the next, or another Post. It may not be amiss however, briefly to observe, that Colo. Rochfontain (being in this city) was asked how it came to pass, as he had seen the site at the confluence...
74To 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...
75To 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...
76To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 16 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday at the Great Falls, when Frederick informed me that he could calculate with certainty upon getting two hundred bushels of Rye, and perhaps more, from 4/6 to 5/ pr bushl. The farmers will begin to get it out in a few days, and as soon as there may be enough received to make it an object to send for it, he will give me information thereof. I am, my dear Sir, most respectfully &...
77To 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...
78To 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...
79To 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...
80To 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...
81From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 12 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 8th., but as I am on the eve of my return to Philadelphia, and have many letters to write, I shall do little more than acknowledge the receipt of it. The advices which I may receive by the Post to-night, will decide whether I shall proceed by the direct rout—or by the one I intended to have come. The enclosed from the Attorney General I return to him through...
82From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 15 February 1796 (Washington Papers)
On thursday last I received your letter of —— (now in the hands of Colo. Pickering, & date not remembered). The business relative to the Arsenal at the mouth of Shenandoah, has been shamefully neglected: and, (but under the rose I make the observation) I fear with design; for I was continually reminding the Officer whose duty it was to carry the measure into effect, of the improvident delay;...
83From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 30 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
Late this afternoon, and in company, I r[e]ceived your letter of yesterday’s date. Proposing to set out early in the morning, and the trifling incidents wch happened to occur on the road being related in the enclosed letter, I shall conclude with best wishes for yourself, Mrs Lear and the Child —and assurances of being Your sincere friend and Affectionate Servant ALS , IGK . GW was on his way...
84From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 21 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 17th came by the Post of yesterday—and as, by the purport of it, there is a probability that this letter may find you either at George town or Mount Vernon, I write it for the purpose of declaring that, your going to the latter place is viewed by me as a very kind & friendly Act. The Acct given of Mr Whiting by Doctr Craik, is a very distressing one; not only as it respects...
85From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 28 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
It gave me very sincere pleasure to find by your letter of the 22d instt (which by the by did not come to my hands until the evening of the 26th; not time enough to acknowledge the receipt of it by the Post of next day) that you had arrived in good health at George Town with a valuable cargo of Goods, & that you had arranged your business to your satisfaction in England, Scotland and Holland....
86From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 10 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 2d & 5th came to my hands on Saturday morning. Yesterday I allotted to acknowledge the rect of them & to write several letters; but company coming in before breakfast, and from thence till dinner, and an early succession again to day—I can do no more than say they came duly to hand, and approve of your getting the Rooms (mentioned in your letter of the 2d) Painted—The...
87From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 31 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
On the 28th. I wrote you two letters. In one of them I intended (but forgot it) to have made a request that you would enquire after the lad that used to wait at Suter’s (William I think his name was) whose servitude had expired, and if disengaged and his character good, as well as handy, to engage him for me at eight Dollars P. Month, (with the other allowances known to you) being what I am...
88To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 26 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
I, unfortunately lost one of my working Steers a few days since, and having none to match the one left, and a large quantity of manure yet to haul out on my Corn hills, I applied to Mr Stewart to know if there were any on your River Farm that had not been, and would not be used this year, that would be likely to match mine. He informed me there were a number of that description; but that he...
89To 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...
90From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 26 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
This letter will be handed to you by Captn Myers, of whom I have made mention in a former letter. Being desirous of knowing whether the Directors of the Potomack Compa. are disposed to employ him as an Engineer & Superintendant of their lock navigation, and on what terms, he has resolved to wait upon them for those purposes. The testimonials of his skill as an Architect, and of his knowledge...
91From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 13 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
It is nearly, if not quite a month, since I enclosed you a letter from the Revd Mr Van Vleck, agreeing to take Colo. Ball’s daughter, along with Maria. In that letter, he mentioned his terms; his wishes to know their exact ages; and informed you what necessaries they ought to come provided with. To these I added , that knowing many unsuccessful attempts had been made to get girls admitted to...
92To 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...
93To 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...
94From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 25 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 20th instt was received yesterday, and the principal design of this is to cover the copy of a letter from Mr Van Vleck to me, respecting the reception of Maria at the School for young Ladies in Bethleham. It will be necessary for you to fix (for I presume it will be necessary that Mr Van Vleck should know) precisely, when she will enter; for as he is pressed by others; and...
95From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 23 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
No. 28. Dear Sir, MOUNT VERNON, Septr. 23d. 1791. Your letter of the 18th. with the Gazettes came duly to hand, and I wish you to forward the latter (such as were sent last) by Wednesday’s and Friday’s Post; in which case they will arrive in Alexandria, on Mondays and Fridays when I shall have a messenger at the Post-Office in readiness to receive them. Accompany the papers with occurrencies...
96To 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...
97To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 7 May 1786 (Washington Papers)
General Lincoln has favoured me with the perusal of your Letter of the 10th Ulto wherein you mention your acceding to the sum of two Hun[dre]d Dollars in addition to the Stipulations mentioned in your last for my services for a year, and desire that I may come on as soon as is convenient; if I find an opportunity of going by Water I shall embrace it immediately and be with your Excellency in...
98To 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...
99To 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...
100From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 4 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter and A/c of the 2d Instt and presume it is all right. I wish however you had charged the Scow, & given credit for the articles had from Mr Anderson, as it was my wish to have seen a complete State of it. The thousand dollars lent, was not on usury; and therefore I desire it may be struck out of your A/c, as I shall do it out of mine, when it comes to be entered in my...