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LOT #42054 |
Starting Bid: $500
Tobias Lear Autograph Letter Signed...
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Description
Tobias Lear Challenges Irregular War Department Disbursements
Tobias Lear Autograph Letter Signed ("Tobias Lear").
Three pages of a bifolium, 7 3/4 x 9 7/8 inches; "Dept of War
Accounts Office" [Washington D.C.]; July 16, 1816. Docketed on
the verso.Lear writes to Lt. V. V. Baden, reviewing disbursements and demanding clarification, proper documentation, and correction of questionable charges, in part:
"Sir
Your letter of the 12th Inst. has been received, accompanied by amounts for disbursements which you have made in the name of Capt. Joseph H. Rees...
Before proceeding to state these amounts, it becomes necessary to know what understanding there was between yourself & Capt Rees...It may be proper however to inform you that in doing so you will be chargeable with $31,030.20, that being the correct balance found against him...
The vouchers which you will find enclosed are not satisfactory - If you have not the means of ascertaining yourself whether James Walker was not paid for part of the services...you must get Walker's deposition to that effect -
The allowance made John Crumpton for extra labour exceeds the regulations -
The payment you have made Michael Jenkins for mahogany, and for a Table and Book Case, amounting to Drs 57.50 is considered inadmissible without the sanction of the Secretary of War.
The payment of Drs 100 to Lewis Hait for two months rent of a building for an Armory appears very high, and requires a Certificate of the occupancy of the building, and a statement of the cause which led to the renting of it -
The payment made S. Oliver, of Drs 35, is not witnessed -
I beg that this communication may receive your immediate attention - and that the same vouchers now enclosed, may be returned by you, where corrected.
Respectfully,
Your Obedt Serv.
Tobias Lear."
A full transcript of the letter is available in the lot's extended description online.
By 1816, Lear had taken on a senior administrative role in the federal government following his earlier diplomatic service in the Mediterranean. After returning from Algiers, where he had served as Consul General and negotiated the 1805 treaty with Tripoli, he was appointed to the War Department, where he was involved in the settlement and review of military accounts. The end of the War of 1812 left the department with substantial financial obligations and widespread irregularities in contractor and officer accounts. Letters such as this one show the process of auditing those expenditures and enforcing uniform standards across the department.
Condition: Very good. Expected folds with minor age-toning and light, scattered staining; some minor edgewear commensurate with age and handling. Approximately 3 1/2" separation at upper margin and 1 3/4" separation at lower margin of integral fold. Three small holes along the left margin from being previously thread bound. Overall a very well-preserved example.
More Information: Full transcript:
"Sir
Your letter of the 12th Inst. has been received, accompanied by amounts for disbursements which you had made in the name of Capt. Joseph H. Rees at the Arsenal meeting near Baltimore in the 1st and 2nd quarters of the present.
Before proceeding to state these amounts, it becomes necessary to know what understanding there was between yourself & Capt Rees in relation to the business – If you received from him the balance remaining in his hands on settlements of his accounts to the end of last year, the most correct course will be to charge you to him upon that amount, and have the present Statements in your name; a measure more necessary in consequence of the advance made you by this Department, with which you are held accountable – It may be proper however to inform you that in doing so you will be chargeable with $31,010.20, that being the correct balance found against him, as he was informed at the time of settlement.
The vouchers which you will find enclosed are not satisfactory – If you have not the means of ascertaining yourself whether James Walker was not paid for part of the services for which he now charges, by Capt Rees, you must get Walker's deposition to that effect –
The allowance made John Crumpton for extra labour exceeds the regulations –
The payment you have made Michael Jenkins for mahogany, and for a Table and Book Case, amounting to Drs 57.50 is considered inadmissible without the sanction of the Secretary of War.
The payment of Drs 100 to Lewis Hait for two months rent of a building for an Armory appears very high, and requires a Certificate of the occupancy of the building, and a statement of the cause which led to the renting of it –
The payment made S. Oliver, of Drs 35, is not witnessed –
I beg that this communication may receive your immediate attention – and that the same vouchers now enclosed, may be returned by you, where corrected.
Respectfully,
Your Obedt Serv.
Tobias Lear."
Auction Info
2026 June 19 The John H. Freund Americana Collection Signature® Auction #6331 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
June
19th
Friday
10:50 am CT
Auction Dates
June
19th
Friday
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