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John Parke Custis writes to George Washington from his Abingdon regarding an offer of seventy five pounds for his property on the Eastern Shore of Virginia - is confident he can get more. Custis himself is considering purchasing Philip Alexander's land at a tempting price. Expresses his pleasure and congratulatory wishes on the arrival of Count d'Estaing's on the American coast. Custis reluctantly addresses a misunderstanding between himself and Colo. Bassett regarding the valuation and care of Washington's forty-seven head of cattle at Clairborne's plantation in King William County, Va. (part of Martha Washington's dower lands that Washington leased to John Parke Custis in 1778). Autograph letter signed, 4 pages.

He writes that he received a copy of an earlier letter to Maj. Harrison [Nov. 4]--desires to take Young Royal Gift to his stable to stand--another Jack in Culpeper now will cut down profits of the stud service--collection of rents goes badly--plight of tenants pitiable--tenants in Frederick and Berkeley mostly paid up--he will come to Mt. Vernon to bring rents and attend the marriage of his brother Lawrence with Miss [Eleanor Parke] (Nelly) Custis.

Autograph letter signed, two pages plus cover page with Washington's presidential frank. Washington writes Ball regarding a shipment of goods that he expects will soon depart Philadelphia after some delay. The shipment includes clover seeds and cocoa bean shells, latter intended as a gift from Martha Washington to Ball's wife, Francis (Fanny) Washington Ball, the daughter of George's brother Charles. Finally, Washington encloses an advertisement for the stud services of his prized livestock, the horse Traveller and donkeys Knight of Malta and Compound.

George Washington passes on some information about Irish wolf dogs to Carter which he received from an Irish gentleman. George Washington does not think that mastiffs will fulfill the purpose of hunting wolves which Carter apparently wants.

Letter from George Washington to Richard Sprigg regarding husbandry and breeding a donkey. Autograph letter signed, 1 page.

"Dear Sir, I have this moment been favored with your letter and with out date from Prince Georges County and have ordered the Jennies to be delivered to Mr. Dove--hoping both will prove with foal. Royal Gift never fails ...,".

George Washington assents to Pearce's request to meet his children in Baltimore--payment of wages to Mr. Stuart--enclosed some early colliflower seed, sent by Mrs. Washington--promises to send copy of advertisement of terms on which jacks and stud horses are to cover--mentions Crow's inattention to stock in regards to sheep sheering--St. Foin seed and India hemp--hares being destructive--lucern--enclosed three bank notes for Rev. Mr. Muir and Mr. Hartshorne--warns not to take mares from the jacks until paid.

George Washington explains horse advertisement--care of the youngest jack and mules--Peter--tells Pearce to keep an exact account of all mares and jenneys that go to the jacks--Mr. Prescot of Loudoun (or Fauquier) owes yet for last year--speaks of Mr. Lewis' account that the new visto is opened much further than intended--instructions to buy as much good Oznabrigs--for the making of clothes for the Negroes--requests a sample of the linnen--comments on the price of midlings and ship stuff and superfine and fine flour--corn--breaking of the ground in the fall.

Crops suffering from drought--Mr. Dandridge--oats on last vessel have disappeared--has enclosed four small papers of seeds which have been sent from a curious gentleman in Europe--keeping of clover for seed--buck wheat--timothy--heavy cost of these in the markets of Philadelphia--value of various grasses--clover ought to be well cured before stacking--Crow--both cattle and sheep will benefit from turnip--asks about the drilled wheat and common wheat--ought to be ripe by the 8th or 10th of June--there are two kinds of wheat in drills at Union--inquires if Plaster of Paris was spread--hides of the dead cattle to be tanned by the old man Jack--skins of the dead sheep--Mulatto Will making shoes--Mrs. Fanny Washington--four missing heads of tobacco--Mr. Whitting--surveying in the fall--Mr. Minor--hopes to be at Mt. Vernon by the 10th of June--selling of a horse--health of slaves discussed--Sam, Doll, several spinners, Ditcher Charles--awaiting the arrival of the Peggy and the white thorn plants and Mr. Lear's fruit trees--high price of flour--embargo.

Crops labouring under drought--2 or 3 fine rains have fallen in Philadelphia in past week--unfavorable account of the drilled wheat--great change and decrease in number of sheep since George Washngton's leaving 5 years ago--average fleece from 5 pounds down to 2 pounds--ship Peggy arrived in George Town with the white thorn trees and Mr. Lear's fruit trees--enclosed list for gardener--fence around slave quarters at Union farm--sent oats--on next vessel Washington will send paper for the house.