Mount Vernon, August 5, 1795.  Mr. Lear had got back from England and was now residing in Georgetown or its neighborhood.  The present letter incloses him a power of attorney to vote on the General’s shares in the Potomac Company at a meeting of its stockholders to be held on the day following, in Georgetown.  He says he would be there himself to vote in person if possible; but that having sent to the post-office in Alexandria every day since Friday for letters without receiving any from any of the officers of the government, he might probably receive a great accumulation of them on the day following [which was again Friday, and a post day], to which he would have to give his attention and prepare answers.  It was therefore that he sent the power of attorney to meet the contingency of his not being present.  This power of attorney was in his own handwriting.

Philadelphia, March 13, 1796.  There are brief letters since the above that touch on private business.  In this of the 13th of March, 1796, alluding to his pecuniary affairs, he says, that for the few years he has to remain here, the enjoyment of less, with more ease and certainty, will be more convenient to him, and more desirable; had his resources been adequate to it, he would have purchased the lot and houses in Alexandria which Mr. Lear pointed out; but that as his resources depended on contingencies that might baffle his calculations, he chose to tread on sure ground in all his engagements, being as unwilling to embarrass others by uncertain contracts as to be deceived himself in his expectations.

Philadelphia, April 29, 1796.  This is one of a few lines in which he requests Mr. Lear’s acceptance of some garden seeds for his garden and farm.  They were portions of some sent to him from England to be planted at Mount Vernon.

Philadelphia, November 16, 1796.  This relates to the sale of some of his agricultural produce, and to the disappointments he had experienced in payments promised to him.

Mount Vernon, March 25, 1797.  The General is now relieved from all public duties and cares.  On the 3d of March of this year he ceased to be President by voluntarily retiring from the post after writing that farewell address which a British historian[D] has pronounced unequalled by any composition of uninspired wisdom.  He is now a private citizen returned to his country estate at Mount Vernon on the banks of the Potomac.  Mr. Lear is in Georgetown.  In this letter to him of the 25th of March ’97, he speaks of plans for repairing and refitting his ancient and loved home; but adds that in that rural vicinity he finds difficulty in getting proper workmen, and requests Mr. Lear’s aid in procuring some from Georgetown, or the new “Federal City,” [as Washington at that day was usually called.] Skill and dispatch would be necessary qualifications, and he thinks that his “Old Sergeant Cornelius” might do for one of the workmen.  It seems that this person had been heard of in those parts, and he adds that he would give him the preference as knowing his temper and industry.