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Received Washington's letter with 2 plats of land--he knows little of Washington's land in Kentucky on Rough Creek or of settlement there, but supposes there is some, as he believes Washington's land is near the small town of Hartford, some 18 miles from Vienna--Lewis goes to Kentucky again in April to view his own lands on Green River and will view Washington's at same time--his mother and Harriot send greetings.

Lewis has just returned from Kentucky--he was unable to see either his own land or Washington's, despite his efforts--he did meet Gen. Spotswood who said he has bought the identical land from Gen. Harry Lee for 4 shillings per acre--Lewis believes it is worth at least twice that--the land has good settlement and a good iron bank on it--he cannot understand what Lee meant by selling it again--300 acres of Andrew Woodrow's should be purchased to improve value of Washington's land--he will purchase it if Washington agrees.

Begs Washington for money to buy a stuff skirt and a couple of dark calicoes--she left Berkeley a week ago--Aunt Betty Lewis has been very ill but it recovering.

She received the money Washington sent--would have sent her thanks before, but was in Culpeper and kept there long by bad weather--Aunt Betty Lewis too busy to write by this post.

Harriott addresses her "Honored" uncle with great humility and asks for a pair of stays, a hat "and a few other articles."

Difficulty getting peas and vetches--has applied to Lords of Privy Council to permit officers of customs to admit it to entry to forestall another confiscation of American goods--sends along Chicorium Intybus [Intibus, or succory] and bill of lading--Captain Tuttel promises special care to this shipment.

Lewis writes that the Berkeley and Frederick rents were easily collected because the lands there are productive--those in Fauquier County are hard to collect--deputy sheriffs won't turn over money that is collected--to Mrs. Haney, "a very genteel old lady" and cousin of Washington's (probably daughter of his mother's half sister Elizabeth Johnson), he has extended money on several occasions according to Washington's direction--has settled her and her teenage daughter on a tenement of his own, because those of Washington that were vacant will bring at least £30 each--it may be expensive to buy up life leases on tenements, but Lewis would recommend Washington do so because the money will be reimbursed by higher rent in 4 or 5 years.

Introduces [John Neale] whom he recommends to overlook the carpenters at Mt. Vernon--he made no definite agreement with him--encloses the agreement that Washington drew up for "former person"--he will accept £40--is married with children, which William Washington sees as an advantage because married men stick to their business better than single men.

Regarding some of Ball's land which he wants to sell to the government to build an arsenal--Col. Pickering thinks the price too high and situation too low down--Washington doesn't want to say anything more to the Secretary of War lest anyone think he is influenced by family connection--has never seen any such act passed by Virginia legislature as Ball mentioned in his letter of 19 December.

Washington received Pearson's letter with 1st volume and part of 2nd of Memoirs of Academy of Arts and Sciences -- gives his thanks to members of the Academy.