Your servant, with 4. lambs for mr Cocke, will recieve a 5th for yourself. it is the second best of the 5. mr Cocke’s are from his own ewes, the one destined for you is from mine, the best I had except one. one of your ewes proved to be with lamb when she came; the other missed altogether. the two last merino ewes I recieved brought the scab into my flock, & I lost several. I tried mercurial ointment with no effect. repeated anointings with brimstone & fat have eradicated it, except in a single subject, now separated. none of the lambs have ever had a symptom of it. still you should be on the look out, because of the possibility. the falling off of the wool and scabs in it’s place is the indication, & the ointment immediately rubbed in effects the cure at once.

I was on the eve of setting out for Bedford 3. weeks ago, & mr Randolph’s family had consequently gone to Edgehill to pass the harvest, when I was taken with the rheumatism which confined me to the house & mostly to the bed for a fortnight. I am on the recovery, able to ride into the plantation, and to walk with less pain. I only await the return of strength enough to commence my intended journey. Patsy has been unwell also, and is just getting about. I heard from Dunlora yesterday. my sister is extremely low. I did not know till then that your mother had gone there, nor that Colo Cary and his lady had got up to Carysbrook. if I find my strength will permit me to pay him a visit either as I go or return from Bedford, I shall certainly do it. I intended it the last year, but various matters of business procrastinated it until I learnt he was gone. be so good as to present my friendly respects to himself & mrs Cary the elder & younger & be assured I am ever affectionately Your’s

Th: Jefferson