Lear, Tobias (1762-1816) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.06525 Author/Creator: Lear, Tobias (1762-1816) Place Written: Washington Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 September 1795 Pagination: 3 p. : address ; 22.4 x 18.3 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses the issue of obtaining lime from the land. Includes a list of goods and their prices.
Washington Sept. 18: 1795
My dear Sir,
With pleasure my eyes met your well known had of the 3d inst - I feel grateful for your attention and shall be peculiarly happy to render you any service in my power; and I am persuaded that a considerable & beneficial intercourse between your Eastern World & this part of the Country must take place.
I have been with the Commissioners, (the only persons here likely to make large contracts for lime at present) on the subject of lime. - They do not incline to engage at the price you mention, expecting a supply from the Country about 43 miles above this from where it is brought in wagons @ 50 Cents pr. bushel, and large quantities of oyster shell lime is preparing for which they have contracted @ 25 Cents pr bushl. - At present the Cask of 50 Gals. sells from 3 50/100 @ 4ds.
Some samples of very good slate have been brot. down from about 30 miles up the River; but in what quantities it can be furnished or at what price I have not yet been able to learn. [2] No one here seems to know its value. But I think as you will come altogether by water Carriage, it must be afforded lower than this. When I can gain information on this Subject I will write you again.
Lumber at present is hardly worth bringing from N. Engd. unless by vessels coming for freights - good clear boards & very good shingles generally answer best. Ton & Ranging timber & some good joint sometimes answer. A fact I have quoted the prices current -
Would you think it worth while to make trial of our markets, we have every accommodation of wharves Stores, lumber Yards & equal to any in the U.S. and shall be happy to do the best with what may be sent, and any returns from this shall be sent without delay.
I understand that your part of the Country produces very good barley, if so I shall be much obliged by your sending me this fall about 150 bushels for need in the Spring, to row on a farm I have adjoining the Mt Vernon Estate. It should be put into dry flax seed Casks and great care taken that it does not heat in the hold of the vessel.
My better half is at Mount Vernon; but I can and [illegible] to say that the units with me in best respects for your good Lady & Miss Knox and [illegible] [3] to your family. -
Adieu, my dear Sir, & believe me to be respectfully and affectionately
Your friend
Tobias Lear
Flour 11 Dolls.
Corn 60 @ 65 Cents
Wheat 185/100 Ds.
Tobacco 4 Ds.
New Engd Lumber 10 @ 11 Ds.
Shingles 3 @ 3½ Ds.
Ton timber 5 Ds. per ton
Clear boards 18 @ 20 Ds.
Lime 3 ½ @ 4 Ds.
White Oak 1 tho staves 25 Ds.
Freights very dull at present - many vessels here- Tobacco [G of] Flour none for [shipping]. - The Consequences with be that there vessels will [strikeout] get low freights or go away without any, which will discourage others from sending them next month which is the Season when this produce is but down abundantly. Late rains have injured the mills & kept the flour back 3 or 4 weeks later than usual.
General Knox
Crops of wheat good
Corn very abundant.
[address leaf]
City Washington 25
General Knox
to the care of
Joseph Pierce Esq.
Boston
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