I wish the money could be had from Hill & the Bills of Exchange (except Col Fairfax's, which ought to be sent to him immediately) turned into Cash, you might then, I should think, be able to furnish Simpson with about £300, but you are to recollect that I have got Cleveland & the hired People with him to pay also.—I would not have you buy a single bushel of wheat till you can see with some kind of certainty what Market the Flour is to go to—& if you cannot find sufficient employment in repairing the Mill works, and other things of this kind for Mr. Robets and Thomas Alferd, they must be closely employed in making Cask or working at the Carpenters or other business otherwise they must be discharged for it is not reasonable, as all Mill business will probably be at an end for a while, that I am to pay them £100 a year to be Idle.—I should think Roberts himself must see, & be sensible of the reasonableness of this request, as I believe few Millers will find employment if our Ports are shut up, & the wheat kept in the straw, or otherwise for greater security.
I will write to Mr. Milnor to forward you a good Country Boulting Cloth for Simpson which endeavour to have contrived to him by the first safe conveyance.—I wish you would quicken Lasphire & Sears about the Dining Room Chimney Piece (to be executed as mentioned in one of my last letters) as I could wish to have that end of the house compleatly finished before I return.—I wish you had done the end of the New Kitchen next the garden as also the old Kitchen with Rusticated Board, however as it is not I would have the corners done so in the manner of our New Church (those two especially which Fronts the Quarter.—What have you done with the Well? Is that walled up?—have you any accts of the Painter? how does he behave at Fredericksburg?—
I much approve of your sowing wheat in clean ground, although you should be late in doing it, and if for no other purpose than a tryal.—It is a growing I find, as well as a new practice, that of Overseers keeping Horses, & for what purpose, unless it be to make fat Horses at my expense, I know not as it is no saving of my own Horses. I do not like the custom, & wish you would break it, but do as you will, as I cannot pretend to interfere at this distance.
Remember me kindly to all the neighbours who enquire after
yr affecte friend and servt
G. Washington
Letters of Franklin are less valuable than those of Washington. The letter reproduced was purchased by me in Paris for £10. It of course derives additional value from being addressed to Washington. The seal is intact.
Passy, near Paris, March 2. 1778.
Dear Sir,—M. de Fontevieux, who hopes to have the honour of delivering this into your hands, is a young Gentleman of a considerable Family, and of excellent character, who goes over with Views of improving himself in the military Art under your Auspices. He is willing to serve as Volunteer, in any Capacity for which your Excelly shall find him qualified. He is warmly recommended to me by Persons of great Distinction here, who are zealous Friends to the American Cause. And I beg leave to recommend him earnestly to your Excellency's Protection, being confident that he will endeavour to merit it. With the greatest Esteem & Respect I have the Honour to be,
Your Excellency's
most obedient and most humble Servant
B. Franklin