Mount Vernon, June 19, 1791.  He acknowledges the receipt of several letters from Mr. Lear, and approves what he has done.  He tells him that in the fall he shall want blankets for his servants and people[C] at Mount Vernon; and the summer being the best time for buying them, he wishes inquiry to be made on this subject, saying he should want about two hundred.  He wants to see Paine’s answer to Burke’s pamphlet on the French Revolution, and requests it may be sent to him.  He says that “Paris” has grown to be so lazy and self-willed that John, the coachman, says he has no sort of government of him, as he did nothing that he was told to do, and everything he was not.  The General adds that his incapacity as a postilion was such that he had determined to leave him behind when returning to Philadelphia, which would make one or two boys necessary in his stable at that place, as assistants, and asks whether it might not be possible to find emigrant Germans to answer the purpose.  He concludes, “Be assured of the esteem and regard of yours affectionately, G.W.”

Mount Vernon, September 26, 1791.  He refers to the house in Philadelphia; says that he never expressed any dissatisfaction at want of accommodation in it since he got rid of the workmen; and that that supposition must not be adduced as a motive for causing a public edifice to be built for his use or occupancy; that he has no intention of interfering with the politics of Pennsylvania, or the household accommodations of his successors in the Presidency; but that, for himself, personally, he had wholly declined living in any public building.  This subject appears to have engaged some of his sensibility, and he tells Mr. Lear he is glad to learn he has put in writing his views in regard to it, as that will protect him against misconception on any point.

Mount Vernon, October 7, 1791.  He writes again about the blankets; some have been offered to him in Alexandria, but he likes neither the size nor price, and speaks of those to be had in Philadelphia as intolerably narrow.  He cannot think of being disappointed in his supply, as his people would suffer in the ensuing winter.  He wants one hundred of the largest size and best quality, and one hundred of the middle size but good in quality.  I recollect asking you if among my pamphlets you had seen the journal of my tour to the French (the word position was probably omitted here) on La beauf in the year 1753.  I understood you no; but Mrs. Washington thinks you said yes.  Pray decide the point for us—­I have searched in vain for it here.