secretary to George Washington, negotiated the treaty of Tripoli and ransomed prisoners held by the Pasha of Tripoli. A fine content archive consisting of five letters written between various Lear family members during the end of his tenure as the American Consul to Algiers, including two A.L.S.'s by Tobias Lear and three of his son Benjamin. In the first A.L.S. of Tobias Lear, 4pp. 4to., Algiers, July 14, 1810 to his son Benjamin, he relates some fatherly advice and apologizes for not "...being near you, to guide and direct your steps; but my duty to my Country in the post which I occupy has made it inpractiable for me to leave it, while our public affairs were so much involved in difficulties with the belligerent powers of Europe..." The other A.L.S. of Tobias Lear, 2pp. small folio, Algiers, Oct. 23, 1811, informs his son that "...It is uncertain when we shall be able to return to our native Country, as I have not yet heard a sentence from Government on that subject -- and, upon mature consideration, I have thought it best for you to come to us here, if there are no serious and well grounded objections to your undertaking the Voyage...But, my dear Son, while I express my strong wish for you to come out, I do not lay it as a command for you to do so...". His son did accept the invitation and the collection includes a partly-printed D.S. from Gibraltar dated July 2, 1812 certifying that "...Mr. B.. L. Lear & Servant being about to embark as Passengers on board the Ship or Vessel, called the San Miguel...now at anchor is this Port, and bound to Algiers..." Lear's son Benjamin writes three lengthy A.L.S.'s to relatives in New Hampshire. The first, 12pp. 4to., Gibraltar, June 5, 1812 informs his uncle of his safe arrival in Gibraltar on the ship Baltic of Boston and describes his journey in which just after arriving at Nantucket, "...we discovered, by the water gushing over the Cabin floor that we had sprung a leek just under the Counter & as it was impossible to beach..." The ship was soon forced out of port by a revenue cutter despite protests from the captain. The leak was not helped by a collision with a Russian ship. Despite all the problems, the ship ventured out to sea: "...In such a situation did we put to sea; wretchedly unprepared in our sails masts & rigging the vessel a mere hulk & during the whole of our passage of 43 days, we were in continual expectation that each day would be our last. In the smallest blow the cabin floor would be over shoes in water..." When he arrived in Gibraltar, things were not much better "...on account of the French having laid the town under a contribution...& they have experienced much inconvenience from the shells which they have thrown into it...".During his stay in Gibraltar, Benjamin was witness to a naval battle in which the French made an attack upon the British garrison. He also visited Spain where he "...was struck with horror to see the inhabitants...starving to death in the streets. Some of them dead others dying of hunger in all parts of the city..." Benjamin was only able to spend a few days in Algiers when his family were forced to flee. The Dey of Algiers had been angered by the delivery of supplies from the United States which he did not feel to be sufficient tribute. In his last two letters, October, 22 & 26, 1812, he writes: "...On the 17th. of [July], only two days after I arrived...the Ship Allegheny, with the annuity of naval & military stores, which had been long expected and which appeared to give the greatest satisfaction to the Dey and people of the Regency. But this was of short continuance; for then on the 20th., when the ship had begun to discharge her cargo, my father received a message from the Dey, informing him that he would not receive the cargo & that the ship must depart form Algiers in three days taking him, together with all other American citizens there in the place. -- When enquiry was made into this strange affair, the only reason assigned by the Dey for his outrageous conduct, was, that the ship had not brought so much powder and other articles as he expected; and which he had no right whatever to expect. -- My dear father made every exertion and attempted every proper means in his power to effect an accommodation; but in vain; and we accordingly departed from Algiers, on the 24th. of July, in the Ship Allegheny..." Soon after their arrival in Gibraltar, they received news that war had been declared between Great Britain and the United States which placed them in limbo. Benjamin also notes that "...We have heard of the brilliant affair of the Constitution, which has excited astonishment in all but Americans; we have likewise blushed at hearing of the disgraceful surrender of Genl. Hull's army...". A fine grouping of letters detailing the life of a diplomatic family abroad. All six pieces in very good condition.