George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/04-02-02-0100

From George Washington to Robert Anderson, 3 November 1784

To Robert Anderson

Mount Vernon 3d Novr 1784.

Sir,

Your letter of the 15th of Octor is at hand, & is the first I have ever received from you. Persons as well acquainted with Husbandry, in its various branches, as you profess yourself to be, & have credentials of, must no doubt be an acquisition to any Country, & meet with encouragement in this. I should be glad to employ a Man who has a perfect knowledge of Agriculture—skilled in the rotation of crops, & who understands feeding horses, Cattle, sheep &c. But before I would be under any legal, or honorary engagement, or put you to the trouble or expence of coming this way, I should be glad to know precisely your terms, wages &c. To which I wou’d give you an answer by the return of the Post. It may not be amiss to inform you, that it is a head or Director only I want; hands I could furnish from my own Estate to occupy any farm I have unengaged at present.1 I am Sir &c.

G: Washington

LB, DLC:GW.

1Robert Anderson’s letter has not been found, nor is there any evidence of further correspondence with him. On 30 June 1785 GW wrote George William Fairfax for help in finding a farmer to manage the farming at Mount Vernon. It was through Fairfax’s agency that GW hired the English farmer, James Bloxham, who arrived at Mount Vernon in April 1786.

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