Bushrod Washington Legal Opinion
Richmond March 24. [17]98
Without reciting here, the substance of the correspondence between Mr Robert Carter and his Sons & Sons in Law respecting the disposition of his Virginia estate amongst them, I will only observe that I have read & considered it. My opinion is, that the engagements therein made are obligatory upon him, and that a Court of Equity will compel a specific execution of them. They are entered into upon consideration deemed good in Law, and also upon a valuable consideration. I concieve that the property will be bound for the performance of those parts of the agreement which form the consideration of the promise on the part of Mr Carter. that the Sons & Sons in Law have an equitable estate which they may dispose of, subject however to the charges before mentioned.
Bushrod Washington
ADS, MH-L. "Mr Washingtons Opinion—" is written, in another hand, on the verso.