201To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 7 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
I arrived in this place this morning when I was honored with your kind letters of the 21st of September and 1st of October, which were put into my hands by Mr Fraunces. I was detained in Portsmouth ten days longer than I expected to have been when I had the hononor of writing to you last from that place, in order to settle some affairs for my mother which I happily accomplished in a...
202To 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...
203To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 27 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I find, on enquiry, that a suitable Character may be obtained in this part of the Country, i.e. in Massachusetts, to take charge of a private school in Philadelphia, if a proper compensation should be offered. Upon conversing with several gentlemen on this subject I have found it to be a concurrent opinion that about one thousand dollars per Annum would induce such a person to come forward in...
204To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 5 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to you on the 21 ultimo nothing of a public nature has occurred in this quarter of sufficient importance to trouble you with an account of it. And being desireous of gaining all the knowledge of the sentiments of the people hereabouts respecting our public affairs, that I could obtain either personally or from the best information, I have delayed writing ’till...
205To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 21 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that we arrived here yesterday, and had the pleasure to find all our friends in good health. Our passage from New York to Providence was a very pleasant one, and performed in about 36 hours. We met with no accident during the journey, and were highly favored in the weather. Agreeably to your directions I called upon Mr Morris before I left Philadelphia, and...
206To 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...
207Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 11 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
The President of the U.S. informs the Secretary of State that he has retained one of the proof Sheets of the federal City, and returns the others with the letter from Mr Blodget, which the President thinks had better be sent to the Commissioners by the mail, which will certainly reach G. Town on Monday. The President’s Cavalry are in such order that he cannot say with any precision when he...
208To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 10 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] July 10, 1792 . Returns “with the President’s approbation thereunto subjoined, a Contract between the Superintendant of the Delaware Lighthouse &c. and Benjamin Rice, for making two mooring chains for the use of the Beacon boats in the River Delaware.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See H to George Washington, July 8, 1792 .
209Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 10 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of War the enclosed letters from Governors Lee & Telfair which have been submitted to the President, and to inform the Secretary that the President requests that any answer to these letters which may require his inspection, may be submitted to him by twelve o’clock tomorrow, as he intends setting out for Virginia in...
210To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 30 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] June 30, 1792 . Transmits “three Contracts entered into for the stakage of certain waters in North Carolina, which have been submitted to the President of the United States & have received his approbation.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See H to Tench Coxe, June 30, 1792 .
211To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 30 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the U. S. wishes the opinion of the Secry. of State whether the present chief Coiner of the Mint is properly authorized by the resolution of Congress passed on the 3d day of March 1791. Dft ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ). FC ( Lb in same, SDC ). The congressional
212To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 28 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 28, 1792. “By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return … a contract, with his approbation subjoined, between the Superintendant of the Delaware Lighthouse &c. and Thomas Davis & Thomas Connaroe.…” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See Tench Coxe to H, June 20, 1792 , and H to George Washington, June 26, 1792 .
213To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 22 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] June 22, 1792 . Transmits “the Contract made with Abraham Hargis for sinking a Well for the accomodation of the Delaware Lighthouse, which has received the President’s approbation.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See H to George Washington, June 19, 1792 ; H to Lear, June 22, 1792 ; Tench Coxe to H, May 28, 1792 . On June 25, 1792, Tench Coxe wrote to...
214To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 18 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] June 18, 1792 . Transmits “a letter from John Ritchie, Inspector of the 2d division in Maryland, to the President.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
215Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 18 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
United States [Philadelphia] 18 June 1792. Transmits by GW’s command for Hamilton’s inspection “a letter from John Ritchie, Inspector of the 2d division in Maryland, to the President.” LB , DLC:GW . Neither Ritchie’s letter to GW nor any reply from GW or Hamilton to Ritchie has been found.
216To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 2 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] June 2, 1792 . “… The President approves of Joseph Sayword to be Keeper of the Lighthouse on Thatchers Island, in the State of Massachusetts.…” LS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, “Segregated” Lighthouse Records, Lear, National Archives; LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Joseph Sayward. See H to George Washington, May 31, 1792 .
217To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 1 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of the Treasury an Agreement between the Secretary of the Treasury on behalf of the President of the U. S. and the President, Directors & Company of the Bank of the U. S., which has been submitted to the President of the U. S., and to inform the Secretary of the Treasury that the said Agreement being made conformably...
218To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 31 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of the Treasury the enclosed copy of a Letter from the Secretary of State to the President; and to request that the Secretary of the Treasury will let the President know when the sum mention’d in the enclosed Letter will be conveniently ready for his order. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. On May...
219Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 4 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
United States [Philadelphia] 4 May 1792 . Returns by GW’s command “the Instructions to Major Genl Wayne & a letter to Mr Seagrove, both of which meet the President[’s] approbation.” ALS (retained copy), DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . War Department clerk Benjamin Bankson had transmitted Knox’s proposed letter to James Seagrove to Lear on the previous day and had asked that it be submitted to the...
220Tobias Lear to Timothy Pickering, 3 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
I enclose the translation of the letter which was transmitted to the Secretary of War by the Governor of New York—The translation was made yesterday in great haste, and if it should not be sufficiently clear, referrence had better be had to the original, in the possession of the Secy of War. The President wishes, in your conversation with Colo. Louis, that you would learn the precise time of...
221To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 27 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of the Treasury a letter from the Supervisor of the District of South Carolina requesting leave of absence from his office for about three months. The President refers this request to the Secretary of the Treasury whose knowledge of the duties to be performed by the Supervisor will enable him to say whether it can be...
222Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 27 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
United States [Philadelphia] 27 April 1792. Transmits by GW’s command a letter from the supervisor of the District of South Carolina requesting a three-month leave of absence from his office. “The President refers this request to the Secretary of the Treasury whose knowledge of the duties to be performed by the Supervisor will enable him to say whether it can be granted consistent with the...
223To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 25 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, April 25, 1792 . “By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of the Treasury, a Contract lately made between the Superintendent of the Delaware Light-house, and Joseph Anthony & son of Philadelphia for a quantity of Oil, which has received the President’s Approbation.” ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, “Segregated” Lighthouse Records,...
224Tobias Lear to Samuel Hanson, [21 April 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
I am directed by the President [of the U. S.] to acknowlege the receipt of your letter of the 10th of March and to give you the following answer. The law appears to contemplate the surveyor where there is one at a Port, as the person who is ordinarily to perform the service of measuring Vessels, and it may be inferred that the exercise of the power given to the Collector to appoint persons for...
225Tobias Lear to John Rutherfurd, 18 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to lay before the President the letter which you left with me yesterday for that purpose, and to communicate to him the ideas which you expressed respecting the deed for a certain tract of land formerly purchased by Edward Snickers—and have now the pleasure to convey to you the President’s observations on the subject. When Colo. George Mercer (not James, as mentioned in the...
226To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 15 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to ask Mr. Jefferson if he has any knowledge of the writer of the enclosed letter?—and if he has not, whether it is probable that information respecting him could be obtained from any respectable person in this Country?—and that Mr. Jefferson will, after perusing and considering said letter, let the President know his opinion upon the expediency...
227To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 5 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
It is my duty to releive you from suspence on the subject which you had the goodness to communicate to me yesterday, when I have no longer any hesitation in determining on it myself. Permit me, therefore, while my heart overflows with gratitude for this new instance of your kind attention to my welfare, to decline the acceptance of the appointment which you had the goodness to offer me. And...
228V: Tobias Lear’s Notes on the Opinions of the Cabinet, c.4 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
The opinion of the Secretary of State declares the bill unconstitutional—for it does not apportion the Representatives among the states strictly according to their numbers. It provides for fractions—which the Constitution never intended. It leaves the dertermination of apportioning the Representatives without any fixed principle—which may hereafter be productive of great evil, and admits of...
229To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 3 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
“United States,” 3 Apr. 1792. By President’s command he transmits letter from Giuseppe Chiappe of 31 Aug. 1791, “in which if the Secretary finds anything requiring the particular attention of the president, the President wishes he would report it to him.” PrC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ). Tr (same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL or SJPL . Enclosure: Giuseppe Chiappe to the President, 31 Aug. 1791 ( RC in
230Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 31 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of State, letters from Mr Seagrove, that the Secretary may take extracts therefrom for the purpose mentioned this day. The President wishes to know if the Copies of Mr Hammond’s letter which have been sent to the President were intended to be put into the hands of the Secretary of War to be transmitted by him to Mr...
231To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 31 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
United States, 31 Mch. 1792 . Transmits by the President’s command letters from James Seagrove so that TJ could “take extracts therefrom for the purpose mentioned this day.” The President wishes to know if the copies sent to him of the letter of George Hammond are intended to be forwarded to Seagrove by the Secretary of War. RC ( DLC ); 1 p.; endorsed by TJ as received 31 Mch. 1792. Dft ( DNA...
232Tobias Lear to Matthew Clarkson, 29 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States has received your letter of the 22d instant, expressing an intention of resigning the Office of Marshal for the New York District. While the President regrets the loss of your services to the public, he hopes the circumstances which have induced a resignation of your appointment, are such as will conduce to your personal happiness and prosperity. But, Sir,...
233Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 16 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
United States [Philadelphia] 16 Mar. 1792. Transmits by GW’s command a representation to the president from the county lieutenants and field officers of the District of Kentucky. ALS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosure has not been found, but it was probably similar in nature to the request of a council of militia officers in Harrison County, Va., for authorization to...
234To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 16 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
United States, 16 Mch. 1792 . By the President’s command he transmits a 28 Oct. letter from Chiappe, which the President asks TJ to consider and report whatever may demand his attention. The President wishes to see TJ “some time between this and two o’clock as he can make it most convenient.” RC ( DLC ); 1 p.; endorsed by TJ as received 16 Mch. 1792. PrC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ). FC ( Lb in same,...
235To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 16 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
United States, 16 Mch. 1792 . Transmits by the President’s command a copy of the Senate resolution extending the negotiation proposed at Madrid to commerce. RC ( DLC ); 1 p.; endorsed by TJ as received 17 Mch. 1792. Dft ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ). FC ( Lb in same, SDC ). Enclosure: Resolution of the Senate, 16 Mch. 1792 (see note to TJ’s second letter to George Washington, 7 Mch. 1792).
236To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 13 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of State the draft of a letter to the King of France, which meets the President’s approbation; and to enclose the Resolution of the House of Representatives with the signature of the Speaker. As it is possible that the Senate may come forward with a Resolution on this occasion; the President asks, if it would not be...
237Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 5 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
Upon submitting the enclosed note from Mr Bache to the President, he desired I would send it to you, that if you thought it right for him to be furnished with the letter wh. he requests it might be done. Should you determine in the affirmative & not have a copy of the translation at hand—I will have a copy of the note left with the President—sent to Mr B. The President has been informed that...
238To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 5 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Upon submitting the enclosed note from Mr. Bache to the President, he desired I would send it to you, that if you thought it right for him to be furnished with the letter wh. he requests it might be done.—Should you determine in the affirmative and not have a copy of the translation at hand, I will have a copy of the one left with the President, sent to Mr. B. The President has been informed...
239To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 3 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
United States, 3 Mch. 1792 . By the President’s command he transmits the “return of the enumeration of the Inhabitants of South Carolina” received from the marshal there, a letter from Governor Pinckney which, if necessary, the President wishes TJ either to answer or to report to him about, and two pardons signed by the President to which the seal must be affixed. The President wishes to have...
240To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 24 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the United States having approved of the Contract made by the Superintendant of the Light House in New Hampshire with Titus Salter for supplying, keeping, lighting and superintending the occasional repairs of that building, it is respectfully returned to the Secretary of the Treasury by LS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, “Segregated” Lighthouse Records, Lear, National...
241To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 12 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
By the Presidents command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of the Treasury a letter from Mr. Baldwin mentioning the death of Mr. Collins the Collector of Sunbury in Georgia, and recommending a Mr. Francis Coddington to fill his place. The President wishes the Secretary to make such enquiry into the matter as may be proper, previous to the filling said office. LC , George...
242Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 12 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 12 Feb. 1792. Transmits the president’s command that the secretary of the treasury make inquiries about a letter from Congressman Abraham Baldwin of Georgia (not found) mentioning the death of Cornelius Collins, collector at Sunbury, and recommending Francis Coddington for the vacancy. LB , DLC:GW . GW appointed John Lawson, not Francis Coddington, as collector for Sunbury, Ga.,...
243Tobias Lear to James Pemberton, 11 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 11 Feb. 1792. Returns “the enclosed paper which was submitted to the Consideration of the President last evening, containing the sentiments proposed to be delivered, in writing, by the Quakers to the deputation from the Cherokee nation of Indians now in this City —and [is commanded] to inform, that the President, upon a due consideration of the subject, does not see any...
244To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 11 February 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
T. Lear has the honor to inform Mr. Jefferson that the President considers the 22d. day of this month as his birth day, having been born on the 11t. old Style. T. Lear further adds, that the President does not expect to See any Company today on the above occasion—and moreover, that the President’s birth day was last year noticed in this City on the 22d.—and T. L. has understood, in an indirect...
245Tobias Lear to Edmund Randolph, 10 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
The President directs me to offer you his sincere condolence for the loss of your sister—to which permit me, my dear sir to add mine. The President thinks it would be best for you to take an opportunity of conversing with Mr Ellicot respecting Mr Carroll’s house, before you send him your opinion on the subject, as he wishes every information to be had that can be obtained respecting it. The...
246Tobias Lear to Hercules Mulligan, 6 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 6 Feb. 1792. “The President is desirous of getting some black mole skin, like that of which you made him a pair of breeches when he was in New York—and not being able to procure any in this City he has directed me to request, if there is any in N. York, that you will be so good as to get and send to him as much as will three pair breeches; the amount of which shall be remitted to...
247To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 5 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] February 5, 1792. “By the President’s command, T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of the Treasury, with the President’s approbation annexed, a Contract between the superintendant of the establishments on Delaware River and Thomas Conaroe, the elder, for repairing the public piers adjacent to Reeding Island in the said River.” ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters...
248To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 1 February 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
By the President’s command, T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of State a Copy of the Speech of Lord Dorchester to the Western Indians—and of a letter from Colo. Beckwith to the Secretary to the Treasury accompanying said speech.—The President wishes the Secretary of State to look over these papers before he sees the President. RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 31 Jan....
249Tobias Lear to Edmund Randolph, 31 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of this date ⟨requesting to⟩ be informed whether you understood the President rightly upon the following points respecting ⟨the demoliti⟩on of Mr Carroll’s House. Questn 1: Whether payment could be ordered to Carroll for ⟨more⟩ of his House than was run up, when he executed his ⟨agreement?⟩ Answr upon this point the Attorney General’s opinion is desired....
250Tobias Lear to Oliver Evans, 26 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The President presuming from your general acquaintance with Mills and Millers, that you will be able to give him the best information of the annual sum for which he can obtain a first rate Miller, that is, one capable of taking charge of a merchant mill, for his mill in Virginia, in addition to the perquisites which he allows to his present miller, and which will be here stated, has directed...