I wish the money could be had from Hill, or the Bills of Exchange (except Col. Fairfax’s, which ought to be sent to him immediately) turn’d into cash; you might then, I should think, be able to furnish Simpson with about £300; but you are to recollect that I have got Cleveland & the hired People with him to pay also.—I would not have you buy a single bushel of wheat till you can see with some kind of certainty what market the Flour is to go to—and if you cannot find sufficient Imployment in repairing the Mill works, and other things of this kind for Mr. Robers and Thomas Alferd, they must be closely Imployed in making cask or working at the Carpenter’s or other business—otherwise they must be discharged, for it is not reasonable, as all Mill business will probably be at an end for a while, that I am to pay them £100 a year to be Idle.—I should think Roberts himself must see, and be sensible of the reasonableness of this request, as I believe few Millers will find Imployment of our Ports are shut up, & the wheat kept in the straw, or otherwise for greater security.— [Illustration: Delaware Pilot’s “Broadside” ] I will write to Mr. Milnor to forward you a good Country Boalting Cloth for Simpson—which endeavour to have contrived to him by the first conveyance.—I wish you would quicken Lanphire & Sears about the Dining Room Chimney Piece (to be executed as mentioned in one of my last Letters) as I could wish to have that end of the House compleatly finished before I return.—I wish you had done the end of the New Kitchen with rusticated Boards, however, as it is not, I would have the corners done so in the manner of our new Church, those two especially which Fronts the Quarter—What have you done with the Well?—is that walled up?—have you any acc^{ts} of the Painter?—how does he behave at Fredericksburg?— I much approve of your Sowing Wheat in clear ground, although you should be late in doing it, & if for no other purpose than a Tryal—It is a growing I find, as well as a new practice, that of overseers keeping Horses, & for what purpose, unless it be to make fat Horses at my expence, I know not, as it is no saving of my own Horses—I do not like the custom, & wish you would break it—but do as you wish, as I cannot pretend to interfere at this distance;— Remember me kindly to all the Neighbours who enquire after Y^r affection^t—friend & Serv^t G^o Washington WEEMS’ “LIFE OF WASHINGTON.”