Charles W. Valangin, the son of Dr. de Valangin of London, came to the United States with the intention of making it his permanent residence. He planned to travel throughout the states before deciding where to buy a farm. A man “of liberal Education,” Valangin had “made Law & Physic his more particular Studies” and was especially interested in agriculture. Dandridge had written him a letter of introduction to GW because he knew of GW’s desire “to encourage improvement of our husbandry by the introduction of farmers of good character” and felt Valangin’s information on modern English farming methods would make him a welcome visitor to Mount Vernon. Dandridge wrote that Valangin brought with him samples of many varieties of English seed which Dandridge “advised him in the first instance to entrust to yr. care & which he will do with pleasure” (Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to GW, 1 July 1799, DLC:GW).