Washington, George (1732-1799) to Howell Lewis
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04653 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Germantown, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 November 1793 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25.1 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Writes to his nephew, who was temporarily serving as overseer at Mount Vernon, about the rain they have been experiencing and the effects on the wheat crop. Mentions that the fields should be plowed soon. Asks Lewis to send him any bills. Requests that Lewis keep him updated on the crops, specifically wheat, rye, and corn. Asserts the importance of keeping good reports. Mentions "The old Bull commonly called the Callico Bull," and his livestock of cows. Advises him to tell the overseer that he expects proper reports. Requests that Lewis write to Lawrence Washington and ask him to travel with his aunt via Mount Vernon to Philadelphia so that Lewis can remain at Mount Vernon to pass along the keys and any pertinent information to the next person staying there, a Mr. Pearc. Signed "Your Affectionate Uncle, Geo: Washington."
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
German Town 10 Novr 1793
Dear Howell
Your letter of the 6th instt. came duly to hand, and I received pleasure in learning from it that you participated in the fine rain I travelled in on the Road, and that the Wheat began to shew the effect of it. I hope the second rain which fell here about the middle of last week extended also to that quarter. Admitting this, and that the quantity was equal to what we have had here, I persuade myself it must have put the ground in [inserted: a] good <state> for plowing & that no time will be lost in which the horses can be spared from other work, to expedite this [struck: work] [inserted: business] for it is of essential importance to have the fields mentioned to you in my last, broke up in the course of the Fall with as little [strikeout] [inserted: encrouchment on] winter as may be, that the ground may be turned again in the Sprg.
Send me the Bills of Scantling, or copies of them, and when I see the amount of Taylers I will provide some way or other to pay it. Let every preca<u>tion be taken to prevent thefts, or other injury being committed on the Plank Shingles, or Scantling; and particularly to guard them against fires.
As my Wheat Crop is the most important of all, to me, Continue to inform me [2] how it comes on in all your letters; and whether there is any prospect of the forward sowing, which was so much injured by the drought, ever being thick enough. What I mentioned in my last about sowing Rye; I still wish to have done, unless the change is so great for the better, that a full Crop of Wheat may be expected from the bare parts which I then alluded to; & my reason for it is, as I then mentioned, that I may have Rye straw for Thatching sheds for Cow houses &ca. next year. Take particular notice of the drilled Wheat, & let me know how it comes on; and how the Corn is likely to yield; at least how it turns out as this business advances. What is gathered and measured in the course of the Week ought always to be noted in the Weekly Report; for the Great object of these reports is to let me know the occurrences & true state of things on the Farms once a week & [?] none can be more interesting than the ascertainment of the Crops.
Whenever the quantity of Clover Seed (for I perceive you have been threshing it) is known let it be locked up safe, and inform me of the quantity.
Patt had better be struck of the mansion house list altogether, and if there be a younger one there who has never had a child she may come to the mansion h[ous]e in her place.
[3] The old Bull commonly called the Callico Bull (now at Stuarts, if not already brot. to the mansion House.) I would have brot. there; that he may this winter receive the benefit of the litter from the Stables. And it is my earnest wish tell Butler that 12 of the best Cows I have might breed from him before he goes hence & be heard of no more. I do not mean (*) [Washington's footnote, written at left side of page: (*) 12 in addition to what is now at Mansion house but twelve in all.]
Tell the Overseers that I will submit to no excuse for deficient reports it is them I look to for proper statements, and will submit to no neglect, they shall be responsible for their reports.
Enquire what is become of the Corn Tabs which were at Dogue Run, Muddy hole, & River Farm that new ones were wanting for those places, as I see by the Cowpers Report. It is a most shameful thing that conveniences of this sort which ought to last for years are suffered to go to destruction after once or twice using, & then new ones are to be provided.
I request, as soon after the receipt of this letter as an opportunity shall present from Alexandria, or elsewhere, that you would write in my name to Lawrence Washington to come immediately to Mount Vernon, in order to proceed on to this place or Philadelphia with your Aunt as it will be proper for you to remain at my house until Mr. Pearc shall arrive there, which [4] he has given me reasons to hope wou'd be by the middle of next month, though it may possibly be later; for without you are there to deliver things over to him, and give him information of matters, especially of those about the Mansion house, and put him in possession of the Keys &ca. (which I do not incline to leave with Butler) he will have to grope in the dark for every thing and set out at last in a wrong track perhaps. I repeat my desire therefore that you would write immediately to Lawrence to come down, & send letters to different conveyances that the chances of getting on to him may <be> multiplied & if possible rendered cert<ain>.
I am Your Sincere friend and
Affectionate Uncle
Go: Washington
Mr Howell Lewis
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