To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 25 February 1786
From William Fitzhugh
Chatham February 25. 1786.
My Dear Sir
I have declined answering your last Favour hitherto,1 that I might have an Opportunity of seeing the different farming Gentlemen in this Neighbourhood, from whom I might have a Chance of getting you some Oats, & I am sorry now to inform you, that I cannot procure a single Bushell—Page & Spotswood have furnish’d themselves with some valuable Seed of the true black English Oat, and also of the white Poland, from an English Farmer, lately arrived;2 I have with difficulty obtain’d one Bushell of the black Kind, so that amongst us, next year, I am in Hopes we shall be able to supply you—The Moment the Weather becomes tolerable I shall send off the young Doe—in the mean Time, I am with every good Wish for your Lady & Family, in which Mrs Fitzhugh unites with me, Dear Sir Your Aff: & Obed: Ser.
W. Fitzhugh
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. GW must have responded to Fitzhugh’s letter of 17 Jan., but it has not been found.
2. Both John Page and Alexander Spotswood, like GW, were very interested in experimental agriculture.