NO VIMU AIMZOLIAD

2

WRITINGS OF WASHINGTON

[Nov.

...' useless. and the pipe, and lea... tolerably low, to enab... Negro children, to draw w[ater]..

The sooner the field N[egros] ... [M]uddy hole is laid off for Peach...[p]lanted thereon the better it will be; on...

When this is done, let the fi ... e rod (if the rows are intend... art) from the fence which di... Corn) from it: this will make... with the other fence leading to the Gum [spr,] at right angles; and the short rows will but against the fence which divides No 4 from No 5. Great care and pains must be taken in laying the list, and crossing of it, true, or the Trees will not be in a range more than one way, if they are that. A two pole rod would be too unwieldy to get his distance with between the rows; but it ought not to be less than one rod in length; and in taking his distance, he should be careful always to go straight, or his rows will be wider or narrower in proportion to his mistakes.

After the Wood at Muddy is all used, let the firing for Mansion house and your own be taken from the Wood South of the White Gate, where the thinning commenced last year.

Your enquiries after a distiller shd. be diligant, that I may not be put to a nonplus or sustain any injury from the interruption of the work for want of one after January.

The purchasing of Wheat, and selling of flour, I shall leave to your own judgment and discretion. But as the price of the former (except2

The work for the Carpenters, [Joiner], and Bricklayers; and the other... should have it executed; is contained on a seperate sheet of Paper; to be referred to.

It never was my custom to trust [solely] the measurement of my Corn by the Overseers. I always, when I had no Manager,

'The words indicated by leaders [ .

] are mutilated.

"A page or more seems to be missing from the press copy at this point.

1798]

MILL MANAGEMENT

3

and my Manager always, when I had one, or some other person, if absent or unwell, saw this service performed; to prevent mistakes, or to prevent an over report of the measurement by scantily filling the Barrel; And I request that you would see this done, when a sufficient quantity is shucked and ready for lofting.

And I desire moreover, at the farms where there are two Corn houses, that an estimated quantity of Corn, sufficient to answer all the purposes of the Farm from the first day of Jany. next, until the first, or middle of November ensuing, may be deposited in one of these, [the] doors locked and secured, and never opened until the arrival of the new Overseer.

At some convenient time (but before the wet weather sets in) the Barn at Dogue Run should have the Earth raised around the low, and hollow parts of it; in order that all water that descends from the Roof, and higher grounds, may run freely off; otherwise the moisture will penetrate through the Wall and fill the Cellar with Water or damps, which will rot the Sleepers and floor, as it did before.

A pump ought to be put unto the Well at Union Farm without delay, otherwise the well will3

... that the Crop is know ... proceeded from a sudden ... again; a safe way, especi... money will soon be great,... given to obtain a tolerable... let the sales of the latter, ... Water to keep the Stones...our purchases of Wheat... the Mill ought to... her in constant... quantum of work, and judicious buying and selling, that the nett profit must arise. as Millers wages, &ca, &ca, are the same whether he grinds little or much. Due attention to flour barrels, or staves should be had, that no interruption should proceed from that cause.

'A page or more seems to be missing at this point.

I have just received a letter from a Mr. Parkinson of England (who may be expected with his family, and a number of domestic Animals every day) which has surprized me not a little; but as I shall leave with you, his letters to me, and my answer, I need not detail the cause of... but shall give you my opinion of...which may be shewn to him, if occasion should require it. I sincerely wish you health and success, and am your real friend and well wisher.

P. S. I request you will endeavour to be informed of the arrival of Genl. Lee, in Alexandria. Present [this] letter to him. Shew him Mr. Bushrod Washington's to me; ask him to correct his Deed to me, as I have done mine to him before sevl. Witnesses, that it may be admitted to record.

*WORK FOR CARPENTERS

Ist.....To do all that is required at the Distillery before they quit it, that there may be no further call for their services at that place.

2d..... To cover (with Shingles) the fowl houses at the Mansion, making them tight and secure.

3d.....Next, complete the contemplated waste in the Mill Race, that the latter may not by giving way in the manner it does interrupt the work of the Mill, and call so frequently for labourers to repair the breaches.

4th.... When these are done, to go to River farm and complete the Stables. the other Sheds, the brick work of which is already done.

5th.

After the Sheds above mentioned are completed, then erect others in the manner which has been concluded for the Cattle and Sheep. Beginning with those for the former, West [of] the Barn.

on,

1798]

CARPENTRY WORK

5

6th.... When, the Work at River farm commences, let the old Barn be taken down very [care]fully, and the Shingles scantling and nails to the utmost extent they will go, be used before any New materials are provided.

7th....If these several matters should be executed before any other directions are given the Post and Rail, or Planked fencing about the Mansion house may be repaired, or any thing else, which shall appear to require their labour more.

*WORK FOR THE JOINER

Finish the Garden Gates which he is about, which, so soon as done, have fixed in their places and painted (by Thoms Davis) with white lead.

2d....Make door frames in the Cellar, according to Mrs. Washingtons request, and do any Jobs there, or about the house she may require.

3d....Provide another hot bed for the Gardener. If the Sashes, now useless in the Greenhouse, can be applied, it would save time and expence.

4th.

5th..

Make a gate for the New Wall, in front of the house, exactly like those for the Gardens (rising in the middle) but may be single instead of double, as the latter are. The Gardener wants Sashes, where the East door of the Green house is, in order to admit the Rays and warmth of the morning Sunshine. If making this the size of the door would answer his purpose, It may be done, but I do not incline to break the Wall above the door frame. If it is done, that entrance must be no [longer] used as a door, for the opening and shutting of which would soon destroy all the glass; nor any of the glass to be nearer the floor of the house [than] the windows in front are.

6.

7.

The bottle rack may be repaired if it is [ca]pable of it.
If not a new one must be made.

If after doing these things he should want work, he
may be preparg. Stuff for a Book case according to the
directions given him.

*WORK FOR THE BRICKLAYERS

Ist....Davis, with those who are now with him, may continue sloping the hill, above the New Wall, in the manner I have directed him until it is time to throw up Earth for Brick making in the Spring, when

2d....He and Muclas may proceed to that business and turn up enough to make at least Sixty thousand.

3d.... Upon reconsideration of the first Article, above, I believe it will be best for Davis and Muclus to proceed to digging Brick Earth immediately. For as the care of all the Stable horses, as well as the Jacks &ca. must devolve upon Peter, he will require assistance: of course, Mike must join him, and as Anthony will, probably be required to supply the House with Wood [it] will hardly be necessary to keep David [and] Muclus alone, at the slope before th[at] until they can be joined by the House g[ang]. When Davis (who understands the de[sign] will be indispensably necessary to regu[late]

the Work.

*To JAMES ANDERSON

Mount Vernon, November 3, 1798. Mr. Anderson: By the way of Boston, I have just received a letter from Mr Richd Parkinson, dated "Liverpool 28th. Augt. 1798"