To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 12 January 1798
From Tobias Lear
Jany 12th 1798
Dear Sir,
I enclose the letter from Colo. F. Deakins which I mentioned to you yesterday.1 Any Commands you may have for Richmond I shall be happy to take. Altho’ I have not sanguine expectations of pecuniary aid from the Assembly of Virginia; yet a petition to permit the collection of Tolls is an object of too much importance to be neglected at this moment. I therefore feel it a duty incumbent on me to promote this.2
I feel extremely anxious to see the affairs of the Potomac Company in a prosperous train that I may resign, with satisfaction to myself, the agency which I now hold in that important business; which I shall, at all events, resign.3 I have the honor to be, invariably & devotedly, Dear Sir, Your grateful & affectionate
Tobias Lear
P.S. Mr Hartshorne is desireous of having one of your Jacks of two years old; for which his ultimatum I presume wd be one hundred pounds.
Go: Washington
ALS, DLC:GW. Lear wrote on the cover: “pr Julius.”
1. For reference to Francis Deakins’s missing letter of 28 Dec., see GW to Francis Deakins, 15 January. Lear dined at Mount Vernon on 11 Jan. (, 6:277).
2. As president of the Potowmack Company, Tobias Lear, along with the other directors of the company, reported to the company’s stockholders at the meeting of 8 Feb.: “Application has been made to the Assemblies of Virginia and Maryland for a grant of money, either upon loan, or to be vested in new shares as they might choose; but without success” ( 96). Both legislatures, however, did at least approve the collection of tolls at or near the falls of the rivers. See also GW to John Mason, 2 Jan., and Mason to GW, 24 January.
3. GW provided Lear with this letter to James Wood, governor of Virginia, dated this day at Mount Vernon: “Dear Sir This letter will be presented to your Excellency by Mr Lear, President of the Potomack Company, who waits on the Legislature to solicit the loan of a sum of money to enable the Stock holders to proceed with vigour, to the completion of an Enterprise so great, honourable & useful, as is that of laying open the shortest and easiest communication between the Atlantic States & the extensive Country westward of us, on the Waters of Ohio. A communication which will be found not less beneficial than honourable for the States of Virginia & Maryland to encourage. Mr Lear has other matters relative to the Falls &ca to lay before that Honble body, equally claiming its attention. Such facility as your Excellency can, with propriety give to these important objects, will not, I persuade myself, be wanting. Permit me to introduce Mr Lear to your notice & civilities, and to assure you of the respect & regard with which I am Dear Sir Your most obedient Humble Serv. Go: Washington” (letterpress copy, DLC:GW; LB DLC:GW).