On my way home Colo. Washington showed me your letter in which you say that by permission of one of the executors you have paid $5000 to one of the Legatees and that in consequence of a threatened claim by some person to some part of the Fauquier land a part of the ballance must be retained[.] I presume your Brother is not the executor who permitted the payment to be made to one of the Legatees because he knew that after the arrangement we had made with all the creditor legatees such a step would throw every thing into disorder and would embarrass all our future proceedings— I should not consider the permission of any other executor as binding since we act under the power of Attorney from the other executors.

     As to the claim set up to part of your land I cannot think it reasonable that this should suspend your payments particularly as you have been advised that it is unfounded. If you should be sued and should lose any part of the land and it should be determined that you have a right to look to the estate for reimbursement of the money paid for it the Legatees will I presume always be able to answer the demand, But if the mere setting up a claim to the land be a sufficient reason for your not paying it would at any time be in the power of a third person to produce a similar effect by similar means.

     I wish to hear immediately from you that we may know what to do in regard to Colo. Washington to whom the debt due from you is assigned. I am Dr Sir very sincerely yours