1From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 21 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, November 21, 1789. “I have received the letter which you enclosed to me in yours of this date.… I shall pay due attention to the information it conveys.…” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
2From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [29 October 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The bearer John Wood shaved and dressed me in New York. He has taken it into his head to try his fortune here. I have found him sober and punctual & he has done my business to my satisfaction. He desires to have the honor of dealing with the heads & Chins of some of your family and I give him this line, at his request, to make him known to you. Yrs. with great regard ALS , Mr. Stephen Decatur,...
3From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 23 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I find it necessary to request of you the Commissions of the several gentlemen, whom the President was pleased to appoint as Commissioners to receive subscriptions to the Bank of the United States. The persons appointed are Thomas Willing } of Pennsylvania David Rittenhouse Saml. Howell John Beale Bordley of Maryland and Lambert Cadwalader of New Jersey. You will oblige me by procuring the...
4From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [26 March 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I have just received information that General Hand will serve as Inspector of the revenue, in which case it was the Presidents pleasure that his name should be inserted in the Blank commission, which was to be left for the purpose. You will please accordingly to have the name of Edward Hand inserted, & to get the commission completed. I shall be glad to receive it this forenoon. Yrs. sincerely...
5From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 5 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] April 5, 1791 . Asks for commissions for seven inspectors of the revenue. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
6From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 25 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Pursuant to instructions from the President of the United States, I am to request that you will cause some of the blank commissions left with you to be filled as follows: one with the name of John Whitaker as Inspector of the revenue for Survey No. 4. in the District of North Carolina, one with the name of Joseph McDowell the elder, as inspector of the revenue for survey No. 5. in the same...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 1 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, June 1, 1791. Requests the commissions for the Virginia inspectors of the revenue. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
8From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [31 August 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The only person definitively concluded upon by the President, is Philip Thomas, as Inspector of the revenue for Survey No. 2, in the District of Maryland, comprehending the counties of Alleghany, Washington, Frederick, & Montgomery. It is his intention also to appoint Mr. Morris, the now 3d. mate of the Cutter at N.Y., to the Office of first mate, Mr. Boudenot having written me a letter of...
9From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [5 September 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his compliments to Mr. Lear and sends the two commissions for south Carolina. He would wait on the president to day but is prevented by a slight attack of a disorder common to him at the change of weather usual at this season. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See Lear to H, September 3, 1791 .
10From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 18 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] November 18, 1791 . “The President has directed that a commission be made out for Mr Morris, now second mate—as first Mate of the N Y Cutter.…” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Richard Valentine Morris of New York.
11From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [17 February 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
If I understood the President aright, in a conversation some days since, it was his pleasure that a Mr. William Alexander of Rowan County in the State of North Carolina should be nominated as Inspector in place of Mr. Dowel who declined & whose commission I delivered to the President. If he has not mentioned the thing to you, will you ask his orders concerning it? ’Tis of importance the place...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [24 February 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
The President is right. The person intended is Joseph McDowell the younger; and a more precise designation would be by adding, “ of Pleasant Garden. ” But I imagine it will be well to defer the matter ’till the general nomination of the Officers of Inspection is made to the Senate, & to include this case. Yrs. &c LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See H to Lear, February 17,...
13From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 22 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] June 22, 1792 . Encloses “a letter from Mr. Alibone, which contains some explanations respecting the Well at Cape Henelopen.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. William Allibone was superintendent of lighthouses, beacons, buoys, public piers, and stakage for Cape Henlopen and Delaware. On May 25, 1792, Allibone wrote to Tench Coxe: “Agreeably to your...
14From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [6 September 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, September 6, 1792. On the back of a letter that Lear wrote to Hamilton on August 27, 1792 , Hamilton wrote: “Answered Sepr. 6.” Letter not found. ]
15From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 18 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Before a final step is taken respecting a Keeper of the Virginia Lighthouse, I wish it to be known to The President (what I did not advert to yesterday) that Mr. Cornick was appointed by Colo. Newton to oversee the building of a Lighthouse, for which he will receive a quantum meruit . This is a circumstance in his favour tho’ a very slight one, and such as may be overruled by any other...
16From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [15 December 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
The Supervisor of Massachusetts is desirous of permission to come to Philadelphia on urgent private business . I believe the permission may be given him without injury to the service. Will you mention the matter to the President and inform me by a line whether permission may be notified to him or not. Yours &c. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Nathaniel Gorham. See Tench...
17From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 17 December 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] December 17, 1792 . “The Secretary of the Treasury … transmits herewith sundry Commissions which from time to time have been returned.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
18From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [18 December 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, December 18, 1792. ] Sends lists of officers of revenue cutters of New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
19From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 4 January 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] January 4, 1793 . “… The Statements went in yesterday, and are copying for the President.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. This is a reference to copies of the statements enclosed in “Report on Foreign Loans,” January 3, 1793 .
20From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 26 February 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, February 26, 1793. Encloses “a small account against the United States, for a Seal for the use of the District Court of the State of Vermont.” Requests “the President’s permission for paying it.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
21From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 23 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] April 23, 1793 . Asks “whether Mr Lee’s resignation was purely voluntary on his part, or was occasioned by any circumstance dissatisfactory to the President.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Charles Lee, collector of customs at Alexandria, Virginia. See Lee to H, April 12, 1793 .
22From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [25 May 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
The proper fund for the payment of the enclosed is the 10,000 Dollars for defraying the contingent Expences of the Government. Will you add a few words directing it to be paid out of that fund? Yours LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See H to George Washington, May 25, 1793 .
23From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 6 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure of your letter of the 27 of August, and thank you very much for the trouble you have taken. We could assure a compensation of 600 Dollars among twelve, and we would consent to an increase of the School to the number requisite to make up the 1000 in the same proportion of compensation—if we did not ourselves prefer to make the addition. This is all that can be now promised....
24From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 11 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, September 11, 1792. Encloses a letter “left at the office by Mr. Fraunces the Steward … of the President of the United States.” LS , from an anonymous donor. Samuel Fraunces, formerly the proprietor of Fraunces Tavern in New York City.
25George Partridge to Tobias Lear, 27 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
New York, 27 July 1789. Recommends William Watson, Ephraim Spooner, William Jackson, Joseph Otis, and Sturgis Gorham for customs posts in Massachusetts and will “be obliged to you to make the above recommendations to the president.” ALS , DLC:GW .
26Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 22 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
After the Departure of the last post I recd your favour of 17th Instant handed me by major Jackson. I did not expect the return of the president so early or should have lodged Mr Bartram’s Answer which did not reach me til some time after I wrote to him—I waited on Mr Morris to pay him the 32 £s 12 s. 2 d. Balance due to Governeur Morris Esqr. & for the Black Sattin & Floor Matts—Mr Cottringer...
27Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 30 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have made further Enquiry Concerning the Buckwheat, and find that altho’ the Crops round Town, which I had observed were favourable that they were not equally so further in the Country and a person who purchased two or three hundred bushels within a few Days past for Shipping was obliged to pay 3/ for it. from the best Information, it may be procured @ 2/6 to 2/9—but will...
28Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 10 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 30th Ulto I have had an Opportunity of further Enquiry Concerning Buckwheat and find that it cannot easily be had before the Close of Winter but can be Certainly procured during the winter about the prices mentioned in my last letter. Capt. Carhart is arrived from Alexandria and tells me he shall return immediately to potowmack if he can procure a Freight and in that Case...
29Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 14 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have before me Your favour of the 6th & 10th Int. to answer which I could not do by last Post for want of the Necessary information respecting the Boulting Cloths. Mr Lewis says that he is at a Loss to put up the Boulting Cloth until he knows the size that will suit he says that a Reel which in the whole length is ten feet (the Common size here) requires a Cloth of 8 feet 3 Inches long and...
30Alexander Macomb to Tobias Lear, 31 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
Mr Macomb presents Mr Lear with his respects he has receiv’d his note of this morning and informs him that he will take pleasure in affording any assistance in his power to effect the accomplishment of the Wishes of The President of the United States. If Mr Lear chuses, Mr M— will propose an immediate exchange of Houses there can be no impropriety in such negociation, and he ⟨mutilated⟩ from...
31Adamson Tannehill to Tobias Lear, 8 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
From the small acquaintance I had of you while at this place, have taken the liberty of requesting you, that if there should be any public appointment in this Country that may be the Gift of his Excellency the Presidt of the U. States, you would be pleased to mention me to him to that effect; Should address his Excellency on the subject, but a becoming modesty forbids it. Therefore if any...
32Roger Alden to Tobias Lear, 8 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secy of State has given directions, that six copies of the Laws, in sheets, should be delivered to the President of the United States—Agreeably to his orders I have the honor to transmit the Laws passed this session; in future they will be regularly sent from this office, as printed, and at the close of the Session, the same number bound, with marginal Notes and Index. I am—sir your most...
33Dominick Lynch to Tobias Lear, 4 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
I hope you will excuse the Liberty I take in addressing you on a subject which my Inclination wou’d lead me not to interfere in, but the wish to serve a most respectable friend induces me to intrude upon you. Mr John Street of Fyal who in consideration of his services to American Prisoners &c. was by the Portuguese Senate for the western Islands appointed during the war American agent &...
34Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 6 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Mr Heineken, Consul from the United Netherlands called on me last evening to request I would ask you if it would be convenient & proper for him to wait on the president, at any time and at what hour tomorrow, to introduce some gentlemen lately arrived & recommended to him from Holland one of whom is a gentleman of fortune, & bein in public offices of respectability there as they leave town on...
35Franco Petrus Van Berckel to Tobias Lear, 6 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Coming to Town last Evening in my Phaeton I overtook one of the Presidents Carriages, which as I was about to pass (not Conceiving any impropriety in doing so) the Presidents Postilion drove his horses intentionaly across the road, so as to prevent my passing, altho’ he might have facilitated it, without any inconvenience to himself; & where by taking a different road from the other Carriages,...
36Roger Alden to Tobias Lear, 14 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
New York, 14 July 1790. In response to Tobias Lear’s request for copies of state acts ceding lighthouses and related property to the federal government, sends a copy (not found) of an exemplified New York act, the only one transmitted to the Department of State since the receipt of those of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, which have already been forwarded to the president. ALS , DNA : RG 59,...
37John Fenno to Tobias Lear, 24 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
[New York] 24 July 1790. Sends two bound volumes of the Gazette of the United States after a delay of two months because of problems at the bindery and notes that one volume is a complimentary copy for GW’s library and the other is to replace issues earlier loaned by Lear. ALS , DLC:GW . John Fenno established the semiweekly Gazette of the United States in April 1789 at the seat of the new...
38“John A. Dingwell” to Henry Knox or Tobias Lear, 17 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
In The incloased I Send you a letter I did myself the honour to write to the President yesterday in answer to one he honoured me with[.] in mine to him I have incloased a peaper that it or one to the Same purport must be Signed before I make the least discovery as in the peapers I Can lay before him there is that that might indanger the lives of Gentlemen I wou’d Sooner die then hurt who is...
39Authorization for Tobias Lear, 30 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Whereas it may be necessary, during my absence from the Seat of Government, to pay certain monies and accounts out of the fund of ten thousand Dollars appropriated to the discharge of Contingent Expenses of Government, by a law passed on the 26th day of March 1790; I therefore do authorize Tobias Lear, my Secretary, to direct such payments to be made in my name, out of said fund, as may come...
40From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 5 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
After a pleasant Journey we arrived in this City about 2 O clock on thursday last. Tomorrow we proceed (if Mrs Washingtons health, for she has been much indisposed since she came here) towards Mount Vernon. The House of Mr R. Morris had, previous to my arrival, been taken by the Corporation for my residence. It is the best they could get. It is, I believe, the best single House in the City;...
41From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 9 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to the information given in my last, I left Philadelphia on Monday and arrived here yesterday afternoon. To day I rest. To morrow I proceed, and hope to arrive safe at Mount Vernon on Saturday, after taking dinner at Abingdon, on our way. In order that you may not be too fast or too slow in your removal to Philadelphia, it might be well to open a correspondence with Mr. Morris,...
42From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 17 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
Having received no letter from you since the one dated the 3d instant, I have nothing to reply to. The motive for writing to you at this time, is, that upon unpacking the china ornaments which accompanied the Mirrors for the Tables; it was found (notwithstanding they were in Bran) that many of the delicate & tender parts were broken; occasioned I believe by the Bran not being put in & settled...
43From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 20 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Servant who carried my letter of the 17th to the Post Office in Alexandria returned with yours of the 12th which shall be the subject for this reply. Whatever Ideas, or remarks may have been excited by my going into Mr Morris’s House I know not; but this I am sure of, that to do it was farthest from my expectations. The Corperation of the City (by whom it was engaged) made attempts, it...
44From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 27 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you (the date I do not recollect, keeping no copies of my letters to you) I have received yours of the 17th and 20th instant, & shall answer such parts of them as require it. I am glad to find that the House, according to Mr Morris’s notification to you, will be ready about the time you had made arrangements for the removal of my furniture—the mode of doing which, is, I am...
45From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 3 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 22d Ulto came safe. I wish the information given by Mr Danl Parker to Doctr Craigee may prove true —No mention of such event is in Morris’s letter to me; but the date is prior to that of Mr Parker’s by Six days. The Declaration & Counter-declaration of the Ministers of Britain & Spain are published with the communication thereof to the Lord Mayor of London; and yet, it...
46From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 10 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 26th and 30th of the last, & 3d of the present month, have come duly to hand. Without entering into the details, I can assure you that I am perfectly satisfied with the steps you have taken respecting the Vessel which is to bring the furniture & Servants to Philadelphia —With your agreements with Mr Macomb, & whatever you shall do with the Houses I was compelled to build,...
47From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 27 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
On Sunday last I returned from a twelve days excursion up the Potowmack & found your letters of the 6th & 10th from New York, and 14th & 17th from Philadelphia. I am very glad to hear that you are all arrived at the latter place, safe—and the furniture, as you conceive, in good order. It was very right to give Johns wife the same priviledge that was allowed to others, and Mr & Mrs Hyde’s...
48From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 31 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 24th since the date of my last to you; and am very glad to hear that the most valuable parts of the furniture have borne their transportation without receiving damage, and that your expectation of equal success with respect to the remainder, is sanguine. I am pained, however, to find there is a doubt that the House will not be completely finished & ready for...
49From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 7 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 28th & 31st Ult. are now before me, & the parts of them wch require it, shall be answered. If the Schools in the College are under good Masters, and as fit for Boys of Washingtons standing as a private School, I am still of opinion (for the reasons mentioned in a former letter) that he had better be placed there in the first instance. The propriety, however, of this will...
50Joseph Nourse to Tobias Lear, 8 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
Register’s Office, Treasury of the United States [Philadelphia], 8 Nov. 1790. Forwards for the use of Lear’s office a statement of the accounts of the United States during the administration of Robert Morris as superintendent of finance and statements of Morris’s receipts and expenditures of public monies. LB , DLC:GW . On 10 Feb. 1790 Robert Morris presented a petition to Congress requesting...