Tuesday 24th. Mercury at 53 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 66 at Night.
Clear, calm, and extremely pleasant all day.
Mr. Drayton and Mr. Izard set out after breakfast on their rout to South Carolina.
I remained at home all day, being prevented from going up to Abingdon to Meet Mrs. Washington according to promise by the above company.
Entered into articles of agreement and bonds for the performance of the Covenants with John Robertson for the Plantation I lately leased of Mrs. French, and on which he lives.
Sent up to Abingdon for a young Bull of extraordinary make for which I had exchangd and given a young heifer of the same age.
John Robertson agreed to give up the use of the land and slaves on or before 1 Jan. 1787, and in the meantime GW could “employ the labourers on the said Plantation in such works as may have a tendency to prepare for his crops & Inclosures designed for the next year, when they are not necessarily engaged in finishing the present crop, and taking care of the stock and other Interests” of Robertson. Robertson could have use of a tenant house, now occupied by Peter Pool, rent free for 1787, and for an additional year for payment of rent. GW was to pay Robertson for the wheat actually sown this year and Robertson would in turn pay Pool for the wheat planted on the tenement Pool relinquished to Robertson (agreement between GW and Robertson, 24 Oct. 1786, DLC:GW).