George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-21-02-0326

From George Washington to James Anderson, 20 February 1797

To James Anderson

Philadelphia 20th Feb. 1797.

Mr Anderson,

Your letter of the 14th enclosing the weekly Reports, was received on Saturday last.1

The opinion you have formed of the Overseers, under your superintendance, is, I dare say, very correct; and if the Negros will not do their duty by fair means, they must be compelled to do it; so far therefore from taking the latter amiss, that I consider it as a part of your duty. It has always been my aim to feed & cloath them well, & to be careful of them in sickness; in return, I expect such labour as they ought to render, and not after night walking & fatigue, withdraw from work under pretence of pains and ache’s, which do not shew, and have no other evidence of their existence than what proceeds from a deceitful declaration.

Whenever they complain of sickness, examine their cases without delay; that if it be real, aid may be called in, in time: & if obviously feigned, that they may not be indulged in their idle habits.

The Vessel for Alexandria will, it is said, leave this Port tomorrow or next day; by her you will receive, if no accident happens to her, five bushels of Clover Seed, and 12 lbs. of what is called American red clover; said to be longer getting to maturity, but affording a much heavier crop: whether there be any real difference between the two, or whether it is a catch penny deception, remains to be ascertained; for which reason I request you to give it a fair trial—the Vessel will also have on board 10 bushls of the Apricot Potatoes, & 10 bushels of English White;2 these are reputed the earliest that comes to this market. They are in good flour barrels, wch may be sent to the Mill when emptied; besides these, there is in the tierce which contains the clover seed, about half a bushel of another kind of Potatoes, which a gentleman lately from England has sent me as being of a valuable sort.3 A barrel of Beef also goes, & may remain in the pickle until we come home if it appears to be in ⟨good⟩ order.

I never placed much dependance upon Mr Landon Carter for Pease, nor would I have you place any, if you do not hear from him soon after the receipt of this Letter.4

The small quantity of white and grey Peas mentioned by you, proceed from what I imported last year:5 make the most of them: and the small field by your house (if the fence is sufficient) will be an excellent place for these varieties of little ⟨matter⟩.6

Inform the Gardener of what fruit trees I shall certainly want, that they may not be otherwise disposed of. I will make enquiry after flax seed, but with respect to Buckwheat, I imagine you may obtain it cheaper in Loudon than here. The other articles mentioned in your letter shall be got, & sent round with my Goods.7

I have no doubt of your finding difficulty enough in promoting hedging; had I not done so, and been so much from home, my Inclosures would all have been under live fences ’ere this: Do not be discouraged by the backwardness in the Overseers—when I come home, I shall give you all the aid & support in my power. Do carry this plan into effect—I am Your friend &ca

Go: Washington

ALS (letterpress copy), ViMtvL.

1The previous Saturday was 18 February.

2For GW’s purchase in early February of five bushels of clover seed, see his letter to Anderson of 22 Jan., and n.6 to that document. GW’s accounts for this date reflect payments for “Contgt Expens. … for freight of 15 bbls. &c. to Virginia,” and twenty bushels of potatoes “to send to Mount Vernon” (Household Accounts description begins Presidential Household Accounts, 1793–97. Manuscript, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. description ends ). According to newspaper reports, the next ships to leave the capital for Alexandria, Va., were the schooners Dolphin and Tryall (Tryal), which cleared the port of Philadephia on 25 Feb. (see Philadelphia Gazette & Universal Daily Advertiser, 25 Feb. 1797). Advertisements of the imminent sailing of those vessels had appeared in Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser (Philadelphia) for 17 Feb. and The Philadelphia Gazette & Universal Daily Advertiser for 20 February. The sloop Diana sailed to Alexandria on 28 Feb. (see Aurora General Advertiser [Philadelphia], 28 Feb.).

3The “gentleman” who sent GW potatoes has not been identified.

4GW had asked Landon Carter of Cleve to correspond with Anderson about the delivery of peas to Mount Vernon (see GW to Carter, 22 Jan.; see also GW to Anderson, 8 Jan. and 5 Feb.). GW enclosed a letter from Carter when he wrote Anderson on 27 Feb. (see n.4 to that document).

5GW had received white and dark peas from England (see GW to Tobias Lear, 29 April 1796; and GW to Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1796; see also James Maury to GW, 26 Dec. 1795).

6For the location of Anderson’s house, see GW to Anderson, 8 Jan., and n.3 to that document.

7Anderson had requested shovels, scythes, and other items in his letter to GW of 14 February. For GW’s eventual shipment to Mount Vernon of these and other items, see GW to Anderson, 5 Feb., and n.5 to that document.

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