To George Washington from Robert Lewis, 17 July 1793
From Robert Lewis
The Exchange [Fauquier County, Va.]
July 17th 1793
Hond Uncle,
Since writing to you last, I set off with an intention of visiting your land on Potomac, and examining into the state of your lotts in Winchester and at Bath as you requested,1 but was unfortunately taken sick on the road, and confined by it so long, that I was obliged to return home before I could complete the journey, in order to begin my Harvest, and have the wheat secured as soon as possible. I am making preparation to sow my corn ground, and what ground I have fallowed, down in wheat, which I am in hopes of completing by the last of August. I will then undoubtedly see your land and the lotts before mentioned, should no accident happen to prevent.
I have had a final answer from Major Harrison respecting the land which you wished to purchase from him. He has determined not to sell for some years to come, upon any terms, as he thinks lands are rising fast in value, and that his will, of course, rise in proportion.2
Inclosed is a draught on Mr Hill of Philadelphia for ten pounds Virginia currency, which I will thank Mr Lear to present and get the money. It is for rent due by one of your tenants over the ridge, which I have had great difficulty in getting, until I shifted it into the hands of Mr Holker.3 Mrs Lewis joins me in love to my Aunt & yourself. I remain your Affectionate Nephew—
Robt Lewis
ALS, ViMtvL.
1. The date of Lewis’s “last” letter has not been determined. The most recent known letter from Lewis to GW is that of 26 Mar. 1793, and it has not been found. For GW’s previous instructions and a description of the property he wished Lewis to visit, see his letter to Lewis of 29 April 1793, and notes 3–4.
2. On GW’s interest in buying land from his Mount Vernon neighbor William B. Harrison, see GW to Lewis, 23 Dec. 1792, and enclosure, GW to Lewis, 7 Mar. 1793, and GW to Anthony Whitting, 3 Feb. and 24 Feb. 1793, and note 8.
3. On Lewis’s previous collection of rents for his uncle, see GW to Lewis, 15 Oct. 1791, and Lewis to GW, 26 Mar. 1793. For GW’s tenant lands in Frederick and Berkeley counties, which lay west of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, see the Schedule of Property enclosed in his Last Will and Testament of 9 July 1799. On the tenants, see GW to Battaile Muse, 28 July 1785, and notes 1–3, 5, and List of Tenants, 18 Sept. 1785, and notes 1–9; , 4:250–51. The enclosed draft may have been intended for Philadelphia wine merchant Henry Hill.
4. This letter has not been found.
5. GW enclosed information on the Winchester, Va., lots in his reply to Lewis of 26–28 July 1793.