Lear, Tobias (1762-1816) to Henry Knox

Washington May 2d. 1798
My dear Sir,
It was with real pleasure that I recognized a well known hand in your esteemd & favor of the 3d ultimo, which reached me but a few days Since, owing to my having been up the Country for some time past.
I think there may be an arrangement of business, mutually advantageous, as suggested in your letter. - I am established in business here with Mr. Tristram Dalton, under the firm of Lear & Co - no other person is connected in partnership with us; and from our situation and [conveniencies] for the lumber, lime and other New England business, we flatter ourselves that no other person can attend to it with more advantage; and in Alex.a we can dispose of Cargoes as well a here, provided the markets are better. - The articles you mention have hitherto done [struck: better] well here, and as our City progresses (of which there is no doubt) the demand for them will increase. -
[Merchantable] and clear boards - a few small house frames - 16 ft. by 20 ft. and 20 ft. by 40 ft. one story high - good hinges - laths, and a few pieces of good white pine scantling from 10 to 18 inches square and [2] and of convenient lengths will answer well-
The Commissioners for the public buildings tell us they wish now to contract for about twenty thousand of clear boards and ten thousand clear two inch [plk] and a quantity of lime (say 300 Casks of 50 Gal. each). They talk of fifteen dollars pm for the inch and thirty dollars for the two inch clear [plk], and two dollars and an half for the lime; but do not incline to say positively what they will give unless a contract be offered. - I think they will be willing to give a little more; and I know they will want considerable quantities of these articles.
It is proper to observe that whatever comes Should be of a very good quality, as many complaints have been made of the New Engd lumber &c - The Slate will be in demand; but there are extensive quarries of it on this River, some of which have been wrought and the slate brot here; It would be well, however, to send some and fix the lowest price at which it can be afforded, to buy if it could not be brought from your quarter to advantage. -
Corn can always be commanded here, and flour at a lower price than from any other part of the U.S. but there is no prospect of shipping wheat to advantage, as the number of mills lately erected in the Country create a demand here fully equal to the supply.
We have every advantage for establishing an extensive lumber yard here, and if there should be a constant supply, have no doubt of [3] of turning it to good advantage; but whether each Cargo could be sold so as to make the returns of it in the same vessel (without improper detention) is uncertain. But should you think proper to make shipments, we shall use our endeavours to do the best we can with them. At any rate the clear Boards and lime before mentioned will be wanting immediately.
At foot are quoted the present prices in this and the Alexa. markets -
with my best respects to your good Lady & family, believe me to be, my dear Sir,
Most truly and affectionately
Yours
Tobias Lear

Merchantable Boards 10 @ 12 $pm
New Engd Shingles 3$
Laths 1 50/100 @ 2$
Lime 2 50/100 @ 3$
Corn 50 Cts p bushl.
Flour 4 ½ @5$ [pbbl]

General Knox -

[address leaf]
G. Town 4th May
General Henry Knox
Boston
[docket]
Messr Lear & Company
[inserted: illegible]
Washington
2 May 1798
answered 27 May