Lear, Tobias (1762-1816) to Henry Knox
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03536 Author/Creator: Lear, Tobias (1762-1816) Place Written: Mount Vernon, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: circa 27 April 1787 Pagination: 1 p. ; docket ; 22.5 x 18.6 cm. Order a Copy
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."
[draft]
Mount Vernon Aprl. 27th 1787
Sir,
As it is possible this letter may come to your hands previous to one which the General has sent by a gentleman belonging to the State of Delaware, who is to attend the general meeting of the Cincinnati, I thought it would be proper to inform you that His Excellency was off yesterday Morning for Fredericksburg 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 wished to find them alive. He desired me to translate the Article Cincinnati & send it on to you together with the paragraph of Mr. Jefferson's letter. You will be so candid as to pardon any little errors you may find in the enclosed; - the translation, I believe, is just, The only apology to be offered for its being sent in this rough state is the want of time to copy in before the mail is closed.
With Great Respect
I am Sir,
Yr. most obedt. Hble. Servt.
Tobias Lear
The Honbl. Majr. Genl. Knox
[address leaf]
General Knox
[docket]
Tobias Lear
April 29 1787
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.