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Washington's farm manager reports the bad conduct of Thos. Green, carpenter -- will not use delegated authority concerning Green, because realizes he is necessary -- good men are hard to come by -- suggests an addition of carpenters, or estate will be a long time in improving -- mentions all the buildings that need to be built or repaired -- wishes farms to look neat -- will put up fences and gates -- suggests moving post and rail fence at Dogue Run to make meadow correspond to fields -- new corn house going up at River farm -- will move Rich's house to Muddy Hole, for David's house likely to be blown down by high wind -- engaged planks and scantling for [Dogue Run] barn from Mr. Kenzie -- Green keeps sawyers about the corn house -- poor Maj. Washington cannot recover, but he doesn't consider himself fatally ill -- G.A. Washington desires him to continue building on his house -- has treated Whitting like a brother -- will keep carpenters on G.A. Washington's house until they run out of work and he will order no more scantling -- has planted hedges of honey locust, French furz, and cedar berries, but sheep eat them -- need nettle fences on each side of hedge to enable it to grow -- hedges must be given much care to grow -- advises English thorn imported for live fences and estimates cost -- Lombardy and weeping willow cuttings planted about the Mansion house fences -- River plantation will be hard to fence -- Mr. Stuart advises water fences there -- a batteau is needed for this -- should it be built in Alexandria or by one of carpenters? -- Mr. Butler and he can carry on the hedging and fencing, including the night work -- grubbing proceeds to line of locust trees below Vineyard -- will make it a year of fencing -- little wool to spin -- spinning sewing thread and candlewick of tow -- Caroline unwell -- bled her -- trouble with Charlotte -- whipped and refuses to work -- claims she hasn't been whipped for 14 years -- will try to make seine twine -- deer destroying trees at mansion house, especially mulberry -- ice house not filled -- Dr. Stuart and young man managing Custis estates take plough to White House to use as pattern -- Mr. Ring present manager -- shorts from mill can be ground over as ship stuff or fed to cattle -- high price of flour in Alexandria.

Safe arrival of Will--expected him home at Mt. Vernon sooner--his great anxiety to do right in Washington's affairs--considering moving Anthony Whiting to place occupied by Fairfax when he goes--estimate of Whiting's capabilities and character--Garner [Wm. Gardener, overseer of the River Plantation?] is leaving too, wants higher wages--Mr. Gwin in Alexandria has recommended a young boy of respectable family to take Garner's place--he has had no experience--no family--George A. Washington disagrees with Washington's theory of having all married men--cheaper to have single one--work terms of new overseer--wheat and buckwheat--corn seed sent from New York good--corn crop--"... a piece of wood of the kind and dimensions you denoted shall be prepared ..."--very little ice left--Peter and Godfrey busy with small odd jobs--mares in pasture are mischievous and troublesome--terrible rain storm and winds delay work--corn broken down--weather warm until yesterday--very cool--red corn George Washington sent destroyed by insects, dying in the hill--pumpkin seed from Col. Platt's prizes he thinks will flourish.

George A. Washington writes about how he didn't write sooner because George Washington had just left Mt. Vernon -- will be more prompt with reports hereafter -- unable to complete the barn for the stock because of many other jobs for Carpenters & their illness -- some progress made on barn.

In this letter Martha asks Fanny to send with Austin, her servant, several muslin borders which Charlot was to hem. Also, Martha insists that "you must let me know if you are in a certain way and when the event will happen,..." Expects to be home "about the first of August" and wonders "... is B[etty] Lewis married -".

The significance of this letter to Martha's niece Fanny is the mention of several specific slaves in the Presidential household. Martha complains about the sewing work of Charlotte and Caroline and gives her condolences regarding Giles, an enslaved coach driver who was apparently injured in an accident. She also mentions Hercules, the enslaved Washington cook who several years later would run away from the household. Misdated as '1790.' Autograph letter signed, 3 pages.

Martha Washington writes from Philadelphia to her niece Fanny Bassett at Mount Vernon. Mrs. Washington recounts the recent illness and death of Mrs. Tobias Lear, wife of Washington's personal Secretary, and close friend, and how the event had saddened the presidential household. She is pleased that Fanny has had her room white washed and expresses her desire to have Frank white wash the Kitchen and his room in the seller (cellar) as well as him continually keeping things in order for Mrs. Washington's return some time next month. Other topics include prized gold thread, an unpaid bill to Mr. Lewis for silk, a report by Austin that the Bacon was all spoiled in the smoke house, tranporting lockets by way of a gentleman going to Alexandria, shoes being sent to Mr. Porter for Fanny and cutting and sewing clothes for the enslaved workers.