To George Washington from Burwell Bassett, 25 December 1771
From Burwell Bassett
Eltham 25 December 1771
Dear Sir
Not knowing of the return of this messenger1 I wrote you by the last post to which I now refer you, I have meet with no Body yet to enquire into Hill Character But will make it my Business next weak to go to king Wm & when I am informd will let you know by the next Post,2 In my last I inclos’d you two letters recommending Mr James Hockaday one from Mr Burbridge the other from Mr Bat Dandridge,3 Hockaday apply’d to me I know him to be Sober Honest & industrious & understand Accot pretty well, But as he has never been in any Business accept looking after a small platation of his own I thought it right to mention it.
The Assemble meet the six of Febry when I hope to have the pleasure of yours & Mrs Washington Company at Eltham, If there is any thing that I can do for you before you fix on a manager please to command me, Inclos’d you’ll receive and Accot of the Negroes & Stocks of all sorts at the plantations below which I made the overseer take and bring to me4—Please to make my Love & best Complements acceptable at M. Vernon I am Dr Sr Your Mo: Affect. & Obt Servt
Burl Bassett
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. The “messenger” was probably Will Lee. See Richard Croshor Graves to GW, 24 December.
2. See Bassett to GW, (first letter) 21 Dec. and Hill to GW, 9 Dec., and notes. The next known letter from Bassett was not until 13 May 1772.
3. For the two letters from Bartholomew Dandridge and Julius King Burbidge, as well as one from Bassett himself, recommending Hockaday, see Dandridge to GW, 21 Dec., and notes.
4. For the overseers’ inventories sent to GW at about this time, see Richard Croshor Graves to GW, 24 Dec., n.1.