From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 21 June 1793
To Tobias Lear
Philadelphia June 21st 1793
Dear Sir
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;1 not only as it respects the poor fellow himself, but on acct of the effect it must have on my business, present & to come; during this year, at least.
Getting an Acct from him (if his situation will enable him to give it) of the monies received & paid, & such as may be due to & from me, is of importance. A general view given by him of other matters, is more to be wished than expected. I shall bring with me the account he rendered to Mr Dandridge when I was last at Mount Vernon.2
If Mr Clarke fulfils his engagement (and he says he will, tho’ I think it questionable) I shall, if no business more than I am apprized of at present intervenes to prevent it, set out on my Journey on Monday; & expect to be at George Town, if not at Mount Vernon, on Thursday evening.3 This being the case, and as I shall see you at one or the other of those places, or must meet you on the Road, I shall only add that with much truth & friendship I am Dear Sir Your Affecte
Go: Washington
P.S. Mrs Lear & Lincoln are perfectly well.
ALS, CSmH.
1. For James Craik’s comments on the failing health of Anthony Whitting, GW’s estate manager, see his letter to GW of 15 June 1793.
2. Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., had accompanied GW on his stay at Mount Vernon from 2–13 April (GW to D.C. Commissioners, 3 April, to James Keith, 13 April 1793; , 107). The account that Whitting settled with Dandridge has not been identified (GW to Whitting, 21 April 1793).
3. On 8 June, GW paid $100 to carriage makers David and Francis Clark “in advance for the Presidt Phaeton,” and on 22 June, he paid another $100 to David Clark for “the President’s Phaeton” (). GW left Philadelphia on Monday, 24 June, and was at Georgetown on Thursday, 27 June (, 189).