PS. If you could send me samples of some of the best German Oznabrgs. with the prices marked thereon, by the Ell, it would enable me to decide, whether to purchase in Philadelphia or Alexandria. I may, probably, require a thousand Ells.

In some of the late Philadelphia Gazettes I have seen Advertised a number of Passengers from Hamburgh, who are to make their own contracts. Among these it is said their are Clerks in different languages. If one could be had who is competent in English; who is master of a fair hand in English character; and who has testimonials as to his sobriety, morals and general good character, such in short as would satisfy you, were you in want of such a Person, I should be glad to contract with him on as long terms as could be obtained, having a great deal of copying to do. And if a complete Country blacksmith, One who knows how to make Ploughs, and all other impliments for a farm would be acceptable also.

*To FREDERICK KITT

Mount Vernon, January 29, 1798.

Mr. Kitt: Your letter of the 15th instant has been duly received, and we were glad to hear that you and Mrs. Kitt were well, and had escaped the Malady with which the City has been afflicted. But sorry to be informed that two, who had been my domestics, had fallen victims to it.

Continue your enquiries, I pray you, after Herculas; and if you should find it necessary, hire some one who is most likely to be acquainted with his haunts, to trace them out; and if you should learn of him, advise with Colo. Biddle on the most effectual mode of securing him until he can be put on board one of the Packets for Alexandria with a strict charge to the Master not to give him an opportunity of escaping. Whatever cost shall attend this business Colo. Biddle will pay.

1798]

RECORDING A DEED

149

Mrs. Washington would very gladly have employed Mr. Brown, if she had known in time that he would have come hither; but having lately got a housekeeper who understands Cookery, two would be more than necessary. We should like to know however, on what terms Mr. Brown would come, if an occasion hereafter should make it necessary to enquire after such a character.

I am glad to hear you have a birth at the Bank. I hope it is such an one, as will enable you to live comfortably. My advice to you, is so to conduct yourself in it, as to merit the esteem and good will of all those with whom you may have business to transact; and above all things, if you have any thing to do with the money, to let your care and deligence in handling of it, be engaged by nothing but your integrity. I wish you well and

am etc.

*To BUSHROD WASHINGTON

Mount Vernon, January 30, 1798.

My dear Bushrod: I had heard with much concern, before your letter of the 21st instant was received, of your illness; and congratulate you on your recovery. Be careful in guarding against a relapse, by taking cold.

I hope my letter of the 19th of this month got safe to your hands (by the Post); contained therein, were $120 to enable you to do the needful relative to the taxes of my Western Lands; accompanied by some statements which might assist in the investigation of that business.

As Genl. Lees Deed to me was not recorded in the time prescribed by Law; what, if it is thereby rendered invalid, is necessary to be done to Secure my right to the Land therein conveyed?

The family here, are all well, and unite in every good wish for your perfect recovery and in best regards for Mrs. Washington. With Your Affecte. Uncle.

*To ALBIN RAWLINS

Mount Vernon, January 31, 1798. Sir: Your letter of the 26th instant came to my hands yesterday.

There has been some misconception of the application from General Spotswood to your Brother, for it was not a person to be employed in writing and riding he was desired to enquire after but for a Housekeeper, or, if a housekeeper could not be had, than for a man who was qualified for the Office of Butler; who could set out a Table, attend at the side board, and being in the capacity of a head Servant in the family would attend to, and make all the others do their duty properly. In a word to answer all the purposes of a housekeeper and to supercede the necessity of employing one. If any other idea was embibed from what General Spotswood said, or wrote, It has proceeded, as I have said above, from misconception.

It is sometime since I have been provided with a housekeeper; of course my enquiries on that head have ceased. I have, it is true, some business to do in the way you speak of particularly writing; and if, in order to save myself the trouble of doing it, I could engage a single man competent thereto on very moderate wages; One who would confine himself closely; be content to eat with, and live in the same manner the Housekeeper does, having a room to himself to write in, and another to lodge in, over the same I would employ one, and if that mode of living, and manner of treatment would comport with your

1798]

MANAGER'S ACCOUNTS

151

views; Say, in one word, what is the lowest wages you would agree to take by the year? and you shall receive a decisive answer by the return of the Post. I am etc.

*OBSERVATIONS IN GOING

OVER MR. ANDERSON'S ACCOUNTS

Mount Vernon, February 1, 1798.

1. That there is no Cash A/c raised in his Ledger, which is as essential as any other A/c; because, in a greater or less degree, it is the foundation of all others, or nearly allied to them: and is the one from whence the balance of the receipts and expenditures of money is to appear. And if a column in this a/c be instituted for correspondent numerical numbers therein, with those on the back of the Vouchers, a reference to, and a comparison of, the charge and voucher can be made in a moment, and with great ease.

2. If it stands charged in the Bank Book (for want of which I cannot speak with decision) you have given me no credit for my order (which is entered on my minutes) for $200 on the Bank of Alexandria, the 28th of Jany. 1797.

3. In the A/c raised for the Stud horse (Traveller) the gross amount, as appears thereby (exclusive of my own Mares) is £25.16. when by the Cash A/c £11.9.0 only has been received. It is presumed that this difference is yet due; and if so, it only serves to prove in a strong degree, the ineligibility of suffering Mares or Jennies to be taken away before the money is paid; unless it be by those from whom it is known no difficulty or trouble will be met with in the Collection thereafter.

4. I have discovered no credit for £1.11.3 received from A. Jameson.

5. I have found no Voucher for a charge, paid I: V. Thomas of £2.7.6, nor for £7.7.9 paid John Violet, except in their a/c without receipts.

6 The Dogue run A/c of wheat delivered, and the Mill A/c of Wheat received from Dogue run, do not agree. The same disagreement also appears between the Mill, and the other Farms.

7 What is meant in Mansion house A/c by sundries as pr. Waste Book?

8 The Fish A/c, Spinning A/c. Blacksmith and Shoemakers, are not so stated as to shew with exactitude the advantage of either. The hire of the persons employed in each of those businesses ought to have been charged. And with respect to the Fish A/c the wear and tare of the Seins ought also to come in as part of the annual cost. And with regard to the Store A/c, there is scarsely any information to be drawn from it: whereas, among other things, it was my earnest wish to have known, with precision, every thing that went from thence to the Distillery; that, when added to the Articles of every sort and kind (purchased expressly for the erection, and establishment of that work) I might, when to these were also added the timber and Stone, taken from my own Premises; The Carpenters, Masons, Bricklayers; Ditchers; and Labourers wages; Carting, &ca., know what the out fit has cost me. Unless these matters are taken into A/c the calculation of the profit must prove falacious.

8. [sic] Explanations, relative to the observations here made, will render the A/c as clear as they appear to be fair. But I must, notwithstanding, desire that a Cash A/c and all external Accounts, may, hence forward, be rendered quarterly; as directed in a former letter. Internal A/cs, by which I mean those appertaining to the Mansion house, Farms, Mill, Distillery, &ca. &ca.