I have been favored with your letter of the 4th instt and thank you for the information respecting the depredations on my land, lying on four miles run. Mr Bushrod Washington a year or two ago, was desired to commence a suit or suits against some of the Trespassers; but whether he did, or not, or what the result was, I do not recollect ever to have heard.1 The growth of the land, is more valuable than the land itself; to protect it therefore is important.

Not knowing the christian name of Mr Minor, or whether there may not be more than one of that name—I am at a loss how to direct to him; and indeed for a safe mode of conveying a letter to him; and therefore take the liberty of putting the enclosed under cover to you, with a request (after putting a wafer in it) that you would be so good as to have it safely conveyed to the right person.2

The accounts which I receive from Mount Vernon, respecting my Wheat, are very unfavorable. They could not, indeed, be otherwise, after the effect, occasioned by drought in the fall had become apparent, which was the case before I left home in the latter part of October.3

The appointment of a Marshal, for the District of Georgia, had taken place before your letter came to my hands: but if the case had been otherwise, Mr McCrea, however well known in Virginia, was too new a settler, and too little known in Georgia to have become an acceptable man for that office when half the State (in a manner) was in hot pursuit of it. & many of the ancient inhabitants & repectable characters were pressing forward by themselves, & friends, on this occasion.4

My best wishes attend Mrs Stuart and the rest of the family, & with very great esteem & regard—I am—Dear Sir Your Affecte Servant