Lear, Tobias (1762-1816) to Samuel Storer re: personal news & desire to have his son Lincoln join him

My dear Brother,

Many years have elapsed since we have had the pleasure of a correspondence by letter, and still more since we have experienced the satisfaction of personal interviews; but I am fully confident that neither of us have lost that regard for the other which we always expressed and showed, when we were together.
It has given me peculiar satisfaction to know that my dear Son has been under you roof for this year past experience the kind attention and friendly council of yourself and my dear sister. - The letters of your excellent son, John L. Storer, have informed us of the situation of my dear Lincoln, as well as of the welfare of you all, and of many events interesting to us.
I felt the most lively gratitude towards yourself and my dear sister for the kindness shown to my son, and I hope and trust that he will always entertain a due sense of favors you have bestowed upon him.
As it is yet uncertain how long I may remain at my past in this place, having heard nothing from the Government respecting a successor; I have thought it best to send for my son Lincoln to come out to me, by the first good opportunity which may occur, and enclose a letter in this, to that effect. - My motive for desiring my son to come out, arises from the natural desire of a parent to see and embrace a child from whom he has been so long absent; and from a belief, that whether my stay here, after his arrival, be long or short, he can be very useful to me, as well as receiving information and gaining experience to himself, which must be serviceable to him in his future pursuits.
I have written by this opportunity [illegible] Neptune Salem, Henry Prince [illegible] Master bound to (New York) to the Honorable James Monroe Secretary of State, informing him of my intention to send for my son and requesting that he will give him notice if a Vessel of war, or a Vessel with the annuity should be coming out here; and facilitate his passage by either of those, which I have no doubt he will readily do. - But if no opportunity should offer by either of those, I would then recommend a good Merchant Vessel if any should be bound directly to this place; but as I have mentioned to Lincoln, I would not advise his going in a vessel to any other part, in expectation in finding a ready or good opportunity of getting here as, such very rarely occurred. - An this subject I have also written to The Honorable Wiam Gray, and to William R. Gray Esq, both of which Gentlemen will, I am sure, as anything in their power to promote my wishes in this respect.
In [illegible] to [illegible] the experience of my Son for and on the Voyage, as well as to pay everything which may be due on his account, while he has been with you, I enclosed a bill of exchange on William R. Grey Esq, of Boston, Sir one thousand dollars, being part of a balance once to me for money allowance to complete the Chars of His Bring [illegible], Lobias Davis, [illegible] which sailed from this for St. Petersburg, in May last, with a Cargo of oil. - I presume that Captain Lorey has furnished money for which I left with him to receive from Government $ 500 annually for my pay, for the purpose; and I presume, has money of mine in his hands, and to whom I have written on this subject; but I have not since heard from him, nor from Captain Lorey. -
Should Lincoln come out, it would be best for him to take a steady and tristy [sic] servant with him; one what has been [illegible], and can be recommended for his fidelity, by those who can be depended upon. -
Our friends may apprehend, from my sending for my son, that we have given up the ideas of soon returning to our native Country; but I can assure, my dear Brother that is not the care; his coming out can make no difference in that respect; for we shall not prolong our absence from our leoppy [sic] Country one day longer than in necessary.
I should rejoice exceedingly, if it were possible and advantageous for your son John, or Washington to come out with Lincoln. - The present fluctuating State of things in this fact of the world forbids any assurance, on a certain ground. But I am sure that a prudent and active young man with any knowledge of business could not fail of doing someday. I Think it would be a good for the Government to send one annuity to this place from Portland, where the Vessel and the more [illegible] articles of the Cays, could certainly be found as reenable as any Part in the U. States. - Would it not be well to let this be intimated to the Navy department, through which thou Vessel are loaded?
He had the pleasure of writing [illegible] our friends, among the rest to our dear Sister, in July last, by the Barque Morning State of Daco, and M. [illegible], Master, which letters we hope have got safe to hand. - Since that time we have received from the U. States.
We are, Thank God, in the enjoyment of health, and of all comforts the society of our friends, which we shall enjoy, the more when we have the happening of meeting them. - He have had more internal tranquility here for this year part than we have been accustomed to in this place; and there is a good prospect of its continuance, but we can count and nothing certain in that respect here.
As I have requested The Honorable William Gray to furnish our Hon [sick]. Mother with any money she may want for her support, I have no doubt but he has done it, and I hope and trust that she has everything comfortable and proper for her. -- I shall write to her by this occasion and endeavours to soften, as much as I can, the departure of our Son. - If there is anything left to do, or any of my dear cousins, I pray you my dear Brother to point it out to me, and it shall be done, as far as is in my power To our dear Sister and yourself, and all your family, my [illegible] in the kindest love and earnest prayer for your health, happiness and prosperity. - And although we are separated by so great and earthly distance, we have the satisfaction of knowing that an are all under the protective of the Divine Providence who has Hitherto been so kindly careful of us; and we [illegible] in full [illegible] of meeting there often in a letter would, if it should not pleasure tho great Ruler of Events to permit us to embrace with other here again.
Believe me to be, my dear Brother
Your's must affectionately
Tobias Lear
Samuel Store Esq
Portland
P.S After this was written, I wrote of our lives to my dear Nephew
John L. Storer, which goes by the Neptune to New York -