American statesman (1762-1816) who served as Washington's personal secretary and later assumed posts in the Jefferson and Madison administrations. ALS, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.5 x 9, October 10, 1803. While aboard the US Frigate Constitution, a letter to his wife Frances Dandridge Henley, the niece of Martha Washington, in part: "Capt. Pettit of the British Frigate Termagant has this moment sent to inform us that he is going this morning to Gibraltar & will take our command, but as his ship is underway, we can write but a few lines.—The first will be to say I am very well, and most ardently pray I may find my dear Fanny in the enjoyment of health in a few days when I expect to have the happiness of meeting her. We arrived here on Tuesday from Gibraltar…The minister was expected last night, and this day it is expected we shall meet the Emperor on the business, which I hope will soon be terminated for I am anxious to meet my dearest Fanny, and also to be on our way to Algiers; but this business is too important to be left unsettled." Lear adds a postscript to the conclusion, and addresses the second integral page in his own hand. In fine condition, with seal-related paper loss to the integral address leaf.
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