1To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 3 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been duly favor’d with your friendly note of the 14th of July, and shall not fail to give its enclosure to most direct and ready conveyance I can.—The flattering marks of confidence which you have been pleased to repose in me, and the satisfactory arrangements which have been made on my present mission, are highly appreciated by me: And I trust, that, actuated by a proper sense of the...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 9 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to offer you my services in the Naval Department.—It would be presumption in me to say that I am fully qualified to conduct the business of this Department; but, having passed a few years, on my first entrance into life, in maratime affairs, which included the building and fitting out Vessels, and having been latterly engaged, for some years, in commerce, I cannot say that I am...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 19 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed letter from Mr. Dandridge, who is now in this City, will express to you his wish to be appointed Commercial Agent for the United States, either at Port Republican or here.— In a letter to the Secretary of State, under date of the 24th of August, I informed him of the determination of the Governor to fix his residence at Port Republican, and of his expressing a wish that I might be...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 25 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to the Memo. which you gave me, I have now the pleasure of sending you some of the Liqueurs & Sweetmeats of this place.—They are packed in two Boxes with a card of Direction on each “The President of the US.”—ship’d in the Schooner Betsy of Alexandria , Saml. Gilpin Master, and addressed to the care of Colo. Gilpin of that place, to whom you will have the goodness to order the Amount...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been this moment honored with your favor of the present date, and feel grateful for the attention you have been so good as to pay me, by an offer of the Consulship in St. Domingo; and am highly flattered by the confidence which you repose in my prudence and discretion.—But, how ever desireable such an office may be to me, either in a pecuniary point of view; or from a wish to serve my...
6To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 22 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose an Arrêté of the Governor of this Island, opening certain Ports to Neutral Vessels. The Governor has been for about 3 weeks in the Southern part of the Island. I intended, before this time, to have made a tour to Port Republican; but I have found so many things to call my attention here that it has as yet been out of my power. I shall, however, set out in a few...
7To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 4 September 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Tobias Lear. 4 September 1805, “On board the U.S. Ship Constitution Tunis Bay.” “The bearer of this, Sidi Soliman Mellamella, goes to the U. States, to present himself before the President, as Ambassador from His Excellency the Bey of Tunis; as his Credentials &ca. will fully shew. He has been Ambassador from this Court to Naples and Genoa, appears to be a Man of Correct observation,...
8To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 22 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 October 1801, Cap Français . No. 13. Encloses decree of Toussaint opening some ports to neutrals. Has been too busy to make an intended trip to Port Républicain. Has received a letter from British agent Corbet complaining that American vessels clear from Jamaica for the U.S. then come to Saint-Domingue to buy produce with Jamaican profits. Has not replied in full but only stated that the...
9To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 29 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
The Vessel in which I have engaged my passage from this place to St. Domingo, will be ready to sail on tuesday; and if she should be delay’d beyond that time, it will be at my expense. If it should be convenient for you to have my instructions prepared by Mond[a]y, I will be in the City on that day and receive them. I presume you will either hear from Mr. Thornton before that time, or that he...
10To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 27 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 July 1801, Cap Français. No. 4. Reports that Toussaint has just arrived from Gonaïves, where he apparently spoke with British agent who had recently returned from Jamaica. Notes that British agent has not yet communicated with him; Lear will await his initiative. Expects to hold discussions with Toussaint “this Evening.” Comments on high reputation of Stevens—“he Appears to have served the...