Tobias Lear Lauds Peace Following War of 1812 & Celebrates U.S. Army & Navy

A 2pp autograph letter boldly signed by George Washington's former personal secretary Tobias Lear (1762-1816), as "Tobias Lear" near the top verso. Written in Washington, D.C. on March 5, 1815. Expected wear including paper folds. An uneven left edge is adhered with a vertical strip of shiny adhesive tape. A former collector's pencil inscription is found at upper left. Else near fine. 7.75" x 9.75."

Tobias Lear wrote this letter to the "Honl. Woodbury Storer," who could have been a relative through marriage. [Tobias's sister Mary Lear (1759-1841) married one Samuel Storer (born 1752), whose younger brother was Woodbury Storer (1760-1825). The Lears and Storers were both from Portsmouth, New Hampshire].

Lear began his letter by celebrating news that the War of 1812 was over, writing in part:

"I had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 18th ultimo and most sincerely reciprocate your congratulations on the return of Peace upon terms so honorable to our Country. - The successes of our Navy and Army have secured to us a respect among the Nations of Europe, which I trust we shall never suffer to be diminished. After returning thanks to the Great Dispurser of Events for the manifest interposition in our favor, we must endeavor to improve his blessings - lay aside party violence virulence (altho' there may + will be a difference of opinion) and by united exertions improve and enjoy the natural advantages which we possess.-"

The War of 1812 had officially ended three weeks earlier, in mid-February 1815, when the U.S. Senate and President James Madison ratified the terms of the December 1814 Treaty of Ghent. Lear had been in Washington, D.C. serving as a secretary to the War Department when the British had stormed the city in August 1814.

Lear's correspondent Woodbury Storer had inquired if Tobias Lear could pull some strings in order to advance a doctor friend's appointment in the military. Lear confessed that his hands were tied, as the cessation of hostilities had precipitated "the great Reduction of that Body [the Army] …" Peacetime had unexpected consequences, "necessarily put[ting] out of employment many of the Medical Gentlemen attached to it…"

It is believed that some 20 months after penning this letter, in October 1816, Lear committed suicide at his home in Washington, D.C.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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