1From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 9 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
A vacancy existing in the Office of Accountant to the Dept. of War, I have thought it proper to give you an opportunity of saying whether it would be agreeable to you to fill it. Will you be so good as to let me hear from you on the subject with as little delay as possible? Accept my friendly respects RC (owned by Stephen Decatur, Garden City, N.Y., 1961). Cover sheet bears Lear’s note: “Ansd....
2Thomas Jefferson to Tobias Lear, 19 June 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of May 31. is but recently recieved. I had learnt with pleasure your safe arrival in the US. since it had pleased the potent Dey to break with us, to his disadvantage, to ours, & whether to yours or not you can best judge. mrs Lear at least must be glad to be once more among friends. I suppose we can do little with the Dey till we have peace with England . but then I would, at any...
3From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 26 October 1811 (Madison Papers)
The notice that the departure of the Store vessel is taking place, being sudden, I cannot specify the several letters for which I am indebted. I believe from successive references recollected by me, that none have miscarried. I must particularly thank you for the Sheep & Wheat accompanied by one of them. The Wheat was sown partly by myself, and partly by several friends among whom it was...
4From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 14 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
I inclose a copy of a Proclamation of the President, by which you will find the critical state of things between this Country and Great Britain. The conduct of the Squadron in the waters of Virginia, subsequent to the outrageous attack on the Chesapeake, has been in the highest degree insulting to the national Sovereignty; amounting, in fact, to invasion and hostility. The course which it will...
5From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 30 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
Since my letter of the l7. inst. was sent on board the Chesapeake, I have received your two communications of January 25th. and March 6th. on the subject of your proceedings at Tunis, and have the pleasure to inform you that the adjustment of our differences with that Regency in which they terminated, is approved by the President, and regarded as an additional proof that his confidence in your...
6From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 28 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
I avail myself of the opportunity, which is still open, by the Chesapeake, to inform you that measures are just taken for placing 30,000 dollars in the hands of Sir Francis Baring and Company, subject to your orders. If the state of our pecuniary affairs with Algiers should render it advisable, you will therefore be able to draw on that House to an amount not exceeding that sum. Drafts beyond...
7From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 17 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
My last letter which was of the 6th day of August, acknowledged your letter of May, 1806, since which none have been received from you, not even the periodical state of your accounts enjoined by law. I cannot but suppose that many, during so long an interval, must have been written. The miscarriage of them however, has left us very inconveniently in the dark with respect to our affairs under...
8Jacob Wagner to Tobias Lear, 6 August 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Jacob Wagner to Tobias Lear. 6 August 1806, Department of State. “The Brig Franklin having reached Boston, the Tunisian Ambassador has declined taking his passage in her, for the reasons he states in his letter, of which a copy is enclosed. We have therefore been obliged to charter a Merchant vessel at Boston, which, besides the articles to be transhipped from the Franklin, will take on...
9From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 11 July 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Tobias Lear. 11 July 1806, Department of State. “Mr. George Davis, who has been appointed Consul for Tripoli, and is about to embark for Norfolk, has been charged to call upon the Bashaw to fulfill the article of the treaty providing for the delivery of the family of Hamet Caramally. The enclosed extract from his instructions will explain the manner in which he is to proceed. He has been...
10From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 9 July 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Tobias Lear. 9 July 1806, Department of State. “That you may fully understand the arrangements of the Navy Department with respect to your visit to Tunis, I have annexed an extract of the orders of the Secretary of the Navy to Commodore Rogers.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, IC , vol. 1). 1 p.
11From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 19 June 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Tobias Lear. 19 June 1806, Department of State. “The Government of Algiers having expressed a desire to have the benefit of the services of an American Physician, Dr Thomas Triplitt has been selected to reside there. In the inclosed copy of his instructions you will see the objects his appointment is intended to favor and the footing upon which it is placed. As Dr Triplitt enjoys...
12From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 7 June 1806 (Madison Papers)
In the present posture of our affairs with Tunis the President has judged it proper that you should repair thither with a view to an adjustment of them. Of this notice was given to you in my letter of 15 May with an instruction to get to Gibraltar by the earliest conveyance and proceed, thence in the vessel in which the Tunissian Minister Mellimelli would be returning home. This vessel has...
13From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 15 May 1806 (Madison Papers)
The Ambassador of Tunis confined himself on his arrival to claiming restitution of the Xebeque and her prizes to making some representations against the conduct of Dr Davis, and to intimating a wish of the Bey to receive annual presents of maritime and military stores. He was answered that Dr Davis, was, agreeably to his own wishes to b⟨e⟩ ⟨trans⟩ferred to another destination; that the Xebeque...
14From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 16 August 1805 (Madison Papers)
Since your last letter dated 3d. November from Malta, I have received communications from Mr. Mountford of the 3 & 4 Jany. 1st. Feby. and 25 March. You will receive the present by a store ship about to sail from Kennebec with a cargo of plank, timber, spars &c, an invoice of which will be transmitted to you by the Agent who collected it, and which it is hoped will be received upon the annuity,...
15From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 20 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
I have received your several letters of the 7th May 16th July and 3d Novr. last with their inclosures. Several points which they present for consideration in relation to the routine of affairs at Algiers, are passed over for the present as they are unconnected with the Mission in which you are engaged, and may be conveniently taken up hereafter. Upon reviewing the instructions transmitted to...
16From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 25 June 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a list of the articles which it is intended to send to Algiers with the brass Cannon requested by the Dey. They will follow after the timber &c. which is immediately to be shipped to replace the loss of the Sally’s cargo. It would be convenient to us in collecting the Maritime stores for Algiers to have a table of the dimensions most in use for the Navy of that...
17From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 13 June 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 June 1804, Department of State. “The credit given to you with Sir Francis Baring & Co. for four thousand five hundred pounds Stg., as expressed in the letter of the Secretary of the Treasury, of which a copy is enclosed, is in lieu of the remittance of 20,000 dollars promised in my general letter by this conveyance.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, IC , vol. 1). 1 p. Gallatin to JM, 12 June...
18From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 6 June 1804 (Madison Papers)
On receiving information of the loss of the Philadelphia, the inclosed Act was passed by Congress, whereby a million of dollars was appropriated to enable the President to impart such vigor to the conduct of the war as might at once change the exultation of the enemy in his casual fortune into a more proper sentiment of fear and prepare the way for a speedy and lasting peace with Barbary. The...
19From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 26 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 26 January 1804. Acknowledged in Lear to JM, 7 May 1804 (DNA: RG 59, CD, Algiers, vol. 7, pt. 1), and described in the enclosed diary’s 26 Apr. 1804 entry as containing his commission as consul general at Algiers, his commission to negotiate a peace with Tripoli, pamphlets on Louisiana, and newspapers.
20From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 2 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
By the Schooner Citizen, which will carry this to Gibraltar, are forwarded the greater part of the gun-carriages promised the Emperor of Morocco. When she was taken up for this business it was supposed that she would be able to carry them all, which on experiment was found to be a mistake. The remainder will be transported from Norfolk in a few weeks, by a victualler to be dispatched by the...
21From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 14 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
The opinion the President entertains of your unshaken integrity and firmness has led him to select you for the office of Consul General at Algiers, a station in which those qualities are eminently requisite, and which, as well on that account as of the importance of the trust to the peace and interests of your Country, is considered as highly honorable. As you have already made yourself in...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Tobias Lear, 14 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his friendly salutations to Colo. Lear, and prays him to give the best conveyance he can to the inclosed letter. he wishes a pleasant voyage & happy issue of his peacemaking mission : and the rather as the purchase of Louisiana will require the aid of all our resources to pay the interest of the additional debt without laying a new tax, and of course call for the...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Tobias Lear, 14 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Will mr Lear do Th: Jefferson the favor of taking a family dinner with him to-day. RC ( InHi ); addressed: “Colo. Lear”; endorsed by Lear.
24From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 25 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received your Letters of Feby 12th. and 28th. the latter of which includes your Journal from Febry 1st. to that date. The latter having but just come to hand, has been but barely perused. We are fully sensible of the difficulties and anxieties into which you have been thrown by the late occurrences. It is with pleasure that I can console you with an Assurance, that your exertions...
25From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 26 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 17th January has been received since the date of my last which was on the 8th of the same month, and of which Triplicates were forwarded. I hope the ideas stated in it will enable your discretion to pursue a proper course amid the critical circumstances which surround you . It is particularly the wish of the president that no just ground or specious pretext may be left for...
26From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 8 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
My last was of the 24th day of November since which date I have received your several letters as far as No 18 inclusive. The peace between France and England has been officially known here for several weeks, but the measures likely to follow this event in relation to St. Domingo have reached us no otherwise than in scattered indistinct and unauthentic reports. An early idea appeared in the...
27From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 21 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
Your several letters from No. 1 to No. 12 inclusive have been duly received, and I have the pleasure to express to you the President’s approbation, both of your punctuality in transmitting information, and of the prudence which appears to have guided your conduct, since your entrance into the Station confided to you. Frequent and full communications will continue to be acceptable, from a...
28From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 26 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
William Hart Esqr. of Saybrook, Connecticut, has a claim upon the Government of St. Domingo, for the use of his Sloop Harriet, for 32 days, by virtue of a requisition of the Military Chiefs acting under Genl. Toussaint. It appears that Dr. Stevens formerly took up this business, and procured a promise from that General to make satisfaction for the injury, as soon as the state of the Treasury...
29From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 1 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
Herewith you will receive the commission under which you are to reside in St. Domingo, and a copy of the ordinary instructions given to Consuls. In the former you will observe that the title of your Predecessor is varied to that of General Commercial Agent &c. This change is understood however as having no effect either on the functions or advantages attached to your commission; but merely as...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Tobias Lear, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to appoint a Consul to reside near Toussaint in St. Domingo, an office of great importance to us at present, and requiring great prudence. no salary is annexed to it: but it is understood to be in the power of the Consul, by means entirely honorable, to amass a profit in a very short time. Dr. Stevens is said to have done so, but perhaps [by] additional means not so justifiable. it...
31From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 2 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Yr. letter of the 15 of Decr. last was delayed in getting to hand by the circumstance of its having gone to N. York while I was at Phila. and of its having arrived at Phila. after I had set out on my return to N. York. The very painful event which it announces had, previously to the receipt of it, filled my heart with bitterness. Perhaps no man in this community has equal cause with myself to...
32From John Adams to Tobias Lear, 24 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
I recd—in due Season your Letter of the fifteenth of this Month, and immediately communicated it to both Houses of Congress in a Message. The melancholly Event announced in it, had been before communicated to the Legislature, but upon less authentic and regular Evidence. The American People are sincere Mourners, under the loss of their Friend and Benefactor. For General Washington it is a...
33From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 8 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the thirty first of October, and am much obliged to you for your attention to the Winter quarters of the Troops. With great consideration & esteem I am Sir Yr. obedt. Servt. ( LS , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress; Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; copy, in the...
34From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 30 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I again take the liberty of troubling you, to forward the inclosed letter to Colonel Parker— With great regard, I am Sir Yr. obedt. servt. ( LS , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress; copy, in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
35From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 25 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose to you, a letter to Col: Parker requesting you to forward it and to give me information how to direct in future to that Officer. I do not know the nearest Post Office to Harpers Ferry With great regard I am Sir Yr. obedt. Servt. ( LS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress; Df , in the handwriting of H and Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress;...
36From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 31 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
If perchance you should happen to see Mr. Blagden before you leave the City, be so good as to get from him a statement of the preparations for my buildings therein. I do not find by inquiry of Mr. Lewis, that there is much show of this on the ground! I advised strongly that the foundation stone and lime, should be laid in last Autumn, when the Roads were good;—had this been done the Work might...
37From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 26 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th. Inst. enclosing one from Major Rivardi was delivered to me last night. It gives me pleasure that you are recovering from your lameness, and repeat the wish contained in my last that you would use the means for perfect restoration, and remain as long with Doctr. Thornton as he may conceive advisable. With respect to the letter from Major Rivardi, it would be proper to...
38From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 18 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
I recollect no business of sufficient importance to require your return hither, sooner than Doctr Thornton conceives will allow him sufficent time to effect your cure. Were the case however otherwise, far would it be from me, to request this return before so desirable an object is accomplished. I do not therefore wish you to hurry it, on account of my business. Charles takes a horse up for...
39Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 8 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have sent a bale wth 5 pieces of Blankets on board the Brig for Alexandria and will endeavor to get the bill of loading in time for this Evening—I am waiting for the picture frame from McEllwee which he has repeatedly promised & dissappointed me. Yr very Ob. st ALS , DLC:GW . Biddle wrote Lear again the next morning: “I have delayd sending the bill of loading until this morning in hopes of...
40From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 30 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have, at length, received the President’s answer (through the Secretary of War) to my request to be allowed a Secretary, who gives it as his opinion that I have an undoubted right to one, or all of my military family, if I find it convenient, and that their pay &c. will be allowed. And the Secretary having thrown a mass of Papers upon me which I have not looked into (being this moment...
41From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 2 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I was glad to hear by Charles that you were much better than when we saw you last. If you have missed the Ague, care, & Bark, is necessary to prevent a relapse; & this prudence requires. Monday next being the day fixed on by the Constitution of the Potomac Company for its annual meeting, & as you seem resolved to relinquish your present Office of President, I wish you would turn your thoughts...
42From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 22 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am very sorry to learn by Mr. Dalton’s family (now here) that your ague and fever stick by you. If not such as to confine you, your Coming & remaining here while his visit lasts wd. be a kindness to me and company for him; many matters pressing upon me at this time, that cannot, without much inconvenience be postponed, will not suffer me to pay him those attentions I could wish. I am Your...
43From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 4 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter and A/c of the 2d Instt and presume it is all right. I wish however you had charged the Scow, & given credit for the articles had from Mr Anderson, as it was my wish to have seen a complete State of it. The thousand dollars lent, was not on usury; and therefore I desire it may be struck out of your A/c, as I shall do it out of mine, when it comes to be entered in my...
44From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 26 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
Mr Anderson requesting that the boy who was going to the Post Office yesterday, might call & deliver a letter to you, from him, concerning flour—Availing myself of that conveyance, I sat down, and was in the act of writing the hasty lines you received from me by him, when I was summoned to dinner. In my hurry to close and Seal it, I omitted the enclosure then refered to, and which is now...
45From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 25 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the enclosed in what manner I am disappointed in receiving the Rent for my house in Alexandria. These things put you, the payer & myself, in an awkward situation; for it must seem strange to demand what has been paid. I must therefore request, in explicit terms, that you will receive no more monies due to me; a⟨nd⟩ I should be glad to have a statement of the a/c as it...
46From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 26 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
If Stuart can spare a Steer, you may keep the one you got from thence and pay for him in kine. Fishing, hitherto, has been very unsuccessful at my landing. More were caught last night and this morning (since I have not heard from thence) than in the same space at any time before since it commenced; & unless it continues for some days my expences will not be reimbursed. Have you written to...
47From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 10 November 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have received both of your letters dated yesterday; & thank you for the information given in them. If Mr Liston’s arrangement to proceed from Alexandria to this place by Water appeared to you to proceed from the want of Carriages (for I do not know in what manner he got to the City) say to him, that you are sure mine would attend upon him at any hour he wd name at that place, to bring as...
48From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 24 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
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...
49From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 11 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th instant was given to me yesterday by Mr Jno. Bassett. If you had intimated a wish to Lease my River Farm a month or two ago, all matters might, with ease, have been arranged before this; but as I had heard nothing in that time from the English Farmer who had been in Treaty for it, I had relinquished the idea of letting it next year, & in consequence, have engaged Stuart,...
50From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 10 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have almost determined to build the Walls of the House intended for a Distillery (at my Mill) of Stone, for the sake of expedition; as the Carpenters work can be carrying on at the same time. Having this in contemplation, I would thank you for informing at what price foundation Stone from the Falls could be delivered to a Boat as near to my Mill as the Vessel could get and whether any person...