From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 24 October 1797
To Tobias Lear
Mount Vernon 24th Oct. 1797
Dear Sir,
You ask what is absolutely out of my power to comply with, unless I was to place myself exactly in the situation you represent yourself to be (without converting Bank stock into Cash, which I am not inclined to do)—that is, unprepared to face my own engagements; which, for Wheat, Rye, Workmens wages &ca &ca are hourly coming upon me, & expected. Three thousand dollars (without going into a correct examination of the Accts) is more than I have in the Bank of Alexandria, and (for running calls) in my Desk.
Had you asked for a thousand dollars of these, or if that sum would answer any valuable purpose I would, inconvenient as it might prove to me, Give a check on the Bank.1 Your letter being just presented, company here, & dinner ready, I can only add that I am Yr obedt & Affecte
Go: Washington
ALS (letterpress copy), NN: Washington Papers.
1. GW lent Lear $1,000 on 16 June “to be returned in Six months” (; see also GW to Lear, 4 July 1798).