Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 6.djvu/21

 COL. TOBIAS LEAR.

��Washington wrote to James Madi- son, from Mount Vernon, March 30, 1789, that Mr. Lear, who had been with him three years, as his private secretary, would accompany him to New York, or precede him by stage. The president also declined the prof- fered hospitalities of his friends, pre- ferring to hire lodgings until a house could be provided for the permanent reception of the president. The day of the assembling of Congress was March 4, but a quorum of both houses was not formed till the 6th of April.

Col. Lear kept a manuscript diary, and April 30, 1789, made a record concerning the inauguration ceremo- nies at New York. In the procession, the president rode in the State coach ; Colonels Lear and Humphrey, his two secretaries, in the President's own car- riage, next following. In the evening Washington and his secretaries went in carriages to Chancellor Livingston's, and General Knox's, and had a full view of the fire-works.

Col. Lear went to Great Britain late in 1 793, and remained abroad until August, 1 794, when he embarked from Liverpool for America.

Washington wrote to him from Phil- adelphia, Dec. 21, 1794, after his re- turn from Europe, and while he was at Georgetown, respecting the inland navigation of the Potomac, and the construction of the canal and locks, in which enterprise he was deeply inter- ested.

October 15, 17S9, Washington left New York, with his own carriage and horses, on his New England tour, Col. Lear accompanying him. They arrived at Portsmouth, N. II., Oct. 31, 1789, sixteen days after leaving New York City. The president of New Hampshire, Gen. John Sullivan, and his council, U. S. senators John Lang- don and Paine Wingate, Col. John Parker, marshal of the district, and other "gentlemen of distinction," met Washington at the state line and, es- corted by Col. Cogswell's regiment of cavalry, the distinguished party pro- ceeded toward Portsmouth. On reach-

��ing Greenland, Washington left his open carriage and mounted his favoiite white horse, followed by his carriage in the occupancy of Col. Lear. Col. Went- worth's troop of horse there joined the escort. At the Portsmouth Plains the president was- saluted by Major-Gen- eral Joseph Cilley, and other military officers in attendance. On arriving at the more compact part of the town, the discharge of thirteen cannon, by the three companies of uniformed ar- tillery under command of Col. James Hackett, the ringing of bells, the grand military display, and other demonstra- tions of joy, gave evidence of a sincere and hearty welcome and added intense interest to the occasion.

In " Brewster's Rambles," numbers 53 and 54, vol. 1, is given a full and minute account of the enthusiastic re- ception, as well as considerable matter concerning the Lear family. From this article we gather this amusing inci- dent : When " Washington entered Portsmouth on horse-back, Col. Lear rode in an open carriage, next follow- ing, and as they passed on, many, from his position and dignified appearance, mistook the Colonel for the President, and bestowed upon the secretary that honor which was meant for the ' Father of his Country.' "

Washington visited the house of Col. Lear, which was then occupied by his mother and brother-in-law, Samuel Storer, Esq., a dry goods merchant, married by Rev. Dr. Haven to Miss Mary Lear, the sister of Col. Lear, April 22, 1 781. Mrs. Storer died July 27, 1S31, aged seventy. Her husband was born May 16, 1752, and died Oct. 4, 1815. They were the parents of the late Admiral George Washington Storer, a gallant and accomplished officer of the U. S. Navy, and greatly beloved as a son of Portsmouth. He was a babe, when, at his parent's house, Washington placed his hand upon his head " and expressed the wish that he might be a better man than the one whose name he bears." Washington informed Col. Lear's mother, by a note, of his intended visit, and expressed a

�� �