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such security for paynt'ts as will ensure them. I have carefully avoided
rnedling in the extravagant and unwarrantable Speculations which have
lately been so common in our Country. Having a start upon a plan
which looked forward to a regular and extensive trade in the Country,
if I have by my caution missed great profits I feel consolation in Know-
ing that I shall not suffer by a crush which I think does not require a
spirit of prophecy to foretel must happen Shortly in this Country among
the extensive Speculators. The Copartnership of Lear and Co. consist'g
of DIr. Dalton, Tames Greenleaf and myself is dissolved by mutual con-
sent, -Mr. Greenleaf's pursuits not according with our plan. Mr. Dal-
ton and myself have lately enterd into a new Copartnership under the
same firm. We have an excellent establishment in this place, another
at the Great Falls, and are preparing a third at the junction of the Shan-
andoah and Potomac. These with our extensive connexions in New
Eng'd promises good Success in business conhnd mostly to the United
States. Wa may extend it abroad as we find it advantgeous.
Before I close I will add one word more on the Potomac. Boats
from 6o a 70 ft head and g[ft.''l beam ply constantly- between Cumber-
land and Williams port on the Connigochegtte, each carrying from too
to tzo bbls flottr, they come down in 1 1/2 clays deposit their Cargoes and
return home in S days-from Williams Port Shepperds town and the
junctur of the Potomac and Shananoah thev bring their flour etc. Boats
of the same description to the G. Falls and to Watts Branch, at both
which places good store Houses are erected, from whence it comes (at
present mostly by land) to the shipping port. between 25 and 30,000
barr'ls flour was brought in boats to the falls and branch last year.
About 3o boats ply upon the River and such was the demand for them
when I was last up (in feb'y) that one hundred could have found full
employment. In the present unfinished state of the works and scarcity
of boats, it costs but one'ltalf to bring flour to market in this way for
the distance of 6o or 70 miles of what it does by Waggons. Increase
the distance and yon make the expense less in a very high ratio.
So far from considering it as trouble I shall value as a favor any
commissions you may be pleasd to commit to me in this quarter, and
shall always feel happy in being able to give you any information you
may ask, being with sentiments of Firm respect and attachment Dear Sir,
Your friend and obdf.1 Serv.
TOBIAs LEAR
Mr. Jefferson
[Endorsewent:j To Mr. Jefferson, 13th March 1;96.
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