1785-1867 (bulk:1785-1809

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Header Record

Title: Tobias Lear papers [Decimalized .001- .178]

The collection ranges from 1785-1867, with the bulk being 1785-ca. 1796 (items as Washington's personal secretary with some surveying and business correspondence), and 1800-1809 (the majority is correspondence from Lear's service as United States Consul to Algiers).

GLC02794

February 1804 - April 1804

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: Diary kept at Algiers re: lodging, business, etc.

Diary kept from February to April.

GLC03767.01

12 December 1793

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tristram Dalton re: voyage across the Atlantic and arrival at Glasgow

Written to his business partner.

GLC03767.02

1812

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Manuscript

Title: Inventory of Lear's household

GLC03767.03

1810-1812

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Header Record

Title: Lear family archive of 6 items during service as US Consul in Algiers [Decimalized .01- .06]

GLC07827

circa 27 April 1787

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that George Washington will not be able to attend the Society of the Cincinnati general meeting "in consequence of an account which he received by express that his Mother & only Sister lay dangerously ill, & that he was obliged to make all possible dispatch if he wishes to find them alive." States that Washington, however, "desired me to translate the Article Cincinnati & send it on to you together with the paragraph of Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson's letter."

GLC02437.03536

7 December 1790

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests Knox sends President George Washington "the papers relating to the Indian Expedition which are to be laid before Congress."

GLC02437.04792

3 January 1791

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

President George Washington's personal secretary Lear writes to Secretary of War Knox to find out if Knox knows anything about Samuel Ogden and the position of the New Jersey attorney general. Washington "is anxious to give in the nomination."

GLC02437.04816

7 May 1793

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions a Frenchman who is with the Wabash Indians (not an interpreter) and who asked President Washington for a pair of boots and some stockings. Washington wants the man to be given the items if he has not received them before. Tells Knox "you should know of nothing to make it improper." Letterpress copy.

GLC02437.05891

18 September 1795

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the issue of obtaining lime from the land. Includes a list of goods and their prices.

GLC02437.06525

2 May 1798

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lear, Washington's former secretary, encourages Knox to do business with him in the nascent federal city. Says materials are needed to construct the "public buildings."

GLC02437.07123

9 February 1800

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writing for Martha Washington, to express her thanks for Knox's letter of condolence upon George Washington's death.

GLC02437.07366

circa 1789-1796

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Offers his sympathies to Knox for the loss in his family, probably due to the death of another Knox child. Date range inferred from death dates of a few of Knox's children, and other letters in collection referencing their deaths.

GLC02437.08172

14 October 1799

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter perhaps from Tobias Lear, who wishes to "vend at the City of Washington, Alexandria and their neighbourhood-a very large quantity of lime and lumber as such prices as to nett a handsome profit...and thereby enable the purchase of flour for return cargoes." This is expected to increase "Trade from the Potomak to the Eastward." Letter is incomplete and contains no signature.

GLC02437.07316

14 July 1810

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: My Dear and Beloved Son

To Benjamin Lincoln Lear

GLC07827.01

23 October 1811

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: My Dear and Beloved Son

To Benjamin Lincoln Lear Small tear where seal was opened

GLC07827.02

1800/07/24

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph letter

Title: to David Humphreys re: thanks for condolences, Washington family news

Written on behalf of Martha Washington: "she has a grateful heart for these tributes of respect & veneration paid to the memory of her dear deceased husband." Also gives news of the Washington family, especially marriages of George Washington's grandchildren.

GLC02794.043

1805/06/04

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Manuscript document

Title: Copy of treaty of peace and amity between the United States and Tripoli

In a clerk's hand with copy signatures of Tobias Lear and the various Tripolitan leaders involved in the treaty.

GLC02794.070

1805/06/04

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Manuscript document

Title: Copy of treaty of peace and amity between the United States and Tripoli

In a clerk's hand with copy signatures of Tobias Lear and the various Tripolitan leaders involved in the treaty.

GLC02794.071

1803/06/30

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Document signed

Title: On the choice of a horse

Detailed description of what to look for when buying a horse, and how to ship horses overseas. With color ink drawing of a horse and man.

GLC02794.051

1805/08/02

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hamuda Bassa re: introduction as American Consul

Written aboard the "U.S.S. Constitution." Draft copy of letter with edits. "[T]he honor of presenting myself to your Excellency In the purpose of fulfilling the President's wishes."

GLC02794.075

1805/08/05

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: to Hamuda Bassa re: the sovereign's refusal to meet with Lear

Written aboard the "U.S.S. Constitution." Draft copy, with edits, of GLC 2794.080. "As George Davis Esq our Charge de Affairs at your Courts has informed me that . . . you refused to receive me a person authorized to transact any business of my nation with you, I find myself unable to execute the duty assigned me by the President of the U. States." Page two contains doodling. Docketed on verso.

GLC02794.079

1805/08/05

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Letter signed

Title: to Hamuda Bassa re: the sovereign's refusal to meet with Lear

Final draft of GLC 2794.079 in a clerk's hand with Lear's signature. Written aboard the "U.S.S. Constitution." "As George Davis Esq our Charge d'Affairs at your Courts has informed me that . . . you refused to receive me a person authorized to transact any business of my nation with you, I find myself unable to execute the duty assigned me by the President of the U. States." Docketed on verso.

GLC02794.080

1805/08/08

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hamuda Bassa re: threatened war between Tunis and U.S.

Draft copy of GLC 2794.085. Written aboard the "U.S.S. Constitution." For excerpt, see GLC 2794.085. Docketed on verso.

GLC02794.084

1805/08/08

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Hamuda Bassa re: threatened war between Tunis and U.S.

Final draft of GLC 2794.084 in a clerk's hand, with Lear's signature. Written aboard the "U.S.S. Constitution." Lear writes: "the repeated threats of your Excellency to make war upon the United States has Obliged the Commander of the American Squadron in this Sea, to place himslef in a situation to guard against that evil [. . . . ] The Interest, Policy, and the Principles of the Government of the united States of America lead us to wish to be at peace with all nations." He concludes by asking for evidence of the Bashaw's "pacific intentions." Docketed on verso.

GLC02794.085