From George Washington to Richard Peters, 28 January 1794
To Richard Peters
28th January 1794.
Dear Sir,
I thank you for keeping in mind my request concerning Oats. For seed I want them. The purchase depends upon three things—yea four. 1 the quality. 2 the time they could be delivered in this City. and 3 the certainty of a passage to the Potomac. 4th not having heard yet from my Manager, how much he requires, I cannot be precise myself as to the quantity.1
All therefore I would further request of you, at this time, is, to continue your enquiries, where I could be supplied, if under these uncertainties I should, hereafter, ask your assistance in procuring them.2 Yours—affectionately
Go: Washington
ALS (photocopy), ViMtvL; ADf, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.
1. For GW’s estimate that he needed 340 bushels of oat seed for planting on the five farms at Mount Vernon, see his letter to William Pearce, his estate manager, of 12 January. At this time, GW was unsure how much seed was already at Mount Vernon.
2. On GW’s acquisition of oat seed, see GW to Pearce, 16–17 March, and Frederick Freylinghuysen to GW, 26 March.