From George Washington to Thomas Peter, 14 June 1797
To Thomas Peter
Mount Vernon 14th June [17]97
Dear Sir,
Taking it for granted that Mr Anderson gave you his opinion of Mr Threlkalds English Cattle, I shall only add that his advice to me is, to take only the Bull, at the price you mentioned—viz.—Forty guineas. I shall be obliged to you therefore to let that Gentleman know that I will take the Bull at the above price & will send for him on any day he shall name.
I am not inclined to offer less than Mr Threlkald asks for the three; but if he should be disposed to take less I could wish to know the lowest sum that I may be enabled to decide whether I shall content myself with one, or take the whole—Drop me a line by the Post for the regulation of my conduct.1 Mrs Peter & the Child are well,2 and I am—Dear Sir Your Affecte Hble Servt
Go: Washington
ALS (photocopy), DLC:GW.
1. On 24 June GW “put into the hands of Mr Thos Peters 300 dollars to pay Mr Threlkild for an Eng[lis]h Bull, Cow & Calf when the same shall be delivd to me on Monday or Tuesday next” (). GW secured two other bulls and more cows later in the summer (see Gustavus Scott to GW, 16 June, n.3). John Threlkeld represented Montgomery County in the Maryland house of delegates in 1792 and 1793 and at the same time was mayor of Georgetown. The only son of Henry and Mary Brown Hopkins Threlkeld, he married Elizabeth Ridgely in 1787 after his return from his visit to England in 1785.
2. The child was Martha Eliza Eleanor Peter (1796–1800).