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��THE GRANITE MONTHLY.
��and popular sea-shore resort "The Wentworth." The son was liberally educated, graduating with distinction at Harvard, in 1783, in the same class with Harrison Gray Otis, Judges Prescott and Ward, of Massachusetts, and others of well known reputation. For a short time after his graduation he traveled in Europe and America, and then engaged in teaching, until he became the private secretary of Wash- ington. Col. Lear resided with Wash- ington, constituting in all respects one of the family circle. He held a high social position as a most accomplished gentleman of courtly, affable, and dig- nified manners. He was trusted, re- spected, and greatly beloved by his chief, whose entire confidence he en- joyed till the close of his life. Wash- ington mentioned him in his will, and directed that he have, during his life, the free rent of the farm which he then occupied by virtue of a lease from Washington to him and his de- ceased wife during their natural lives. The farm, situated east of "Little Hunting Creek," on the Potomac, near Mount Vernon, contained three hun- dred and sixty acres.
Among the papers of Rev. Dr. Haven, of Portsmouth, who had recommended Col. Lear as private secretary, was preserved a letter from Washington, written some months after his secretary had arrived at Mount Vernon, stating that he had deferred replying, until he had ascertained that Mr. Lear possessed all those qualities for which he was so highly recom- mended, and of which he then was fully satisfied. Soon after the close of the war, Washington retired to private life at Mount Vernon, and was without the assistance of a secretary for two years. His correspondence becom- ing very extensive, he wrote to General Lincoln, as already stated, to recom- mend a suitable person to fill the posi- tion of secretary and tutor. General Lincoln, Jan. 4, 1 786, wrote, — " I have at last found a Mr. Lear, who supports the character of a gentleman and a scholar. He was educated at Cam-
��bridge, Mass. Since he left College he has been in Europe, and in different parts of this continent. It is said he is a good master of languages. He reads" French, and writes an exceed- ingly good letter." Washington re- plied, Feb. 6, 1786, and informed Gen. Lincoln that Mr. Lear, or any other person who came into his family in the blended character of preceptor to the children, and as private secretary, would sit at his table, live as he lived, mix with the company who resorted to his house, and be treated with every re- spect and civility, and receive proper attention. His washing would be done, and his linen and stockings mended, by the maids in the family. A good hand as well as proper diction would be a recommendation. The compensation being satisfactory, April 10, 1786, Washington wrote to Gen. Lincoln, acceding to the terms sug- gested for securing the services of Mr. Lear, and desired to be informed when he "should expect him," that he " might arrange matters accordingly." The terms being mutually agreeable, Mr. Lear soon repaired to Mount Ver- non. Washington wrote to Richard Butler, from Mount Vernon, Nov. 27, 1786:
•• If you are at Pittsburg- this letter will be presented to you by Mr. Leav, a deserving young man. who lives with me. and whom I beg leave to recommend to your civilities. He is sent by me to see the situation of my property on Miller's Pun. lately recovered, and to adopt measures for the preservation and secu- rity of it."
Col. Lear wrote, at considerable length, a letter to Washington, from Portsmouth, June 2, 1788, in relation to the Federal Constitution, which was at that time being considered in the New Hampshire state convention, and which was ratified by it, June 21, 1788. On June 22, Col. Lear again wrote, proposing to return to Mount Vernon, but stating that he might be detained a few days in the settlement of his father's estate, hoped to arrive there as early as the first of August.
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