These unique letters, along with an important diary excerpt, are from the collection of Tobias Lear, George Washington's personal secretary. Lear served Washington for nearly 16 years, throughout the latter's presidency and beyond the time of his death. Though a somewhat controversial figure at times, Tobias was clearly close to Washington and was with the former president at his death. The diary excerpt in this volume contains Washington's last words. The great importance of this collection is the view of Washington as manager of his domestic affairs. Most of the letters were written to Tobias Lear as the trusted executor of Washington's affairs. Lear married into the Washington family after the death of his first wife and was commissioned a colonel, acting at times as military aide to General Washington.