From George Washington to John Lawson, 10 April 1787
To John Lawson
Mount Vernon April 10th 1787
Sir,
On the 8th Instant Neptune delivered me your letter of the 2d Instant. Although he does not profess to be a workman, yet as he has some little knowledge of Bricklaying—seems willing to learn—and is with a man who understands the business, I will keep him—and this shall be my obligation to pay you the sum for which he sold, at the time and agreeably to the terms of Mr Hunters Sale. I am Sir yr most Obed. Servant
G. Washington.
P.S. Since writing the above, and informing Neptune of my determination to buy him he seems a good deal disconcerted on acct of a wife which he says he has at Mrs Garrards1 from whom he is unwilling to be so far removed this also embarrasses me as I am unwilling to hurt the feelings of any one—I shall therefore if agreeable to you keep him a while to see if I can reconcile him to the seperation (seeing her now and then) in which case I will purchase him—if not I will send him back, and pay what hire you shall think fit and is reasonable to charge for the time he is here. G.W.
LB, DLC:GW.
1. Mrs. Garrard may have been the widow of William Garrard of Stafford County who died in 1787.