Your letter of the 16th came to my hands the 19th and the Post by which this goes is the first that has occurred since.1

As one of Mr. Stone’s carpenters is a White lad, and two of them but green hands, I decline employing them,—I have already more white people about my house than are governed properly in my absence—tho’ for the sake of getting an honest, skilful & industrious person to superintend my carpenters I would have added one more,—Two is too many; especially as one of the Negroe’s (as well as the White lad) can have but little knowledge of the trade they profess.2

I thank you for the trouble you have had in this business and with much truth am Your affect’d friend and Uncle